By PRISCA SAM-DURU

A TOTAL of 10 schools have been invited to the 7th Macmillan Youth Literary Day 2013, and subsequently, saddled with the responsibility of using their various presentations to illustrate that amidst all fears, failures and frustrations, Nigerians are blessed with skills, ability and mental capacity to rise above the teaming challenges currently confronting the nation, and achieve greatness.

The schools, carefully selected on the basis of age, school ownership, gender, and geographical spread, will perform before a mixed audience as they try to give an artistic interpretations of the Nigerian situation which hopefully, will inject fresh dose of optimism in individuals.

Most interesting about the event tagged, “Nigeria: My Tears, My hopes”, which takes place on the 8th of May, 2013, at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos is that, the schools have been accorded a creative freedom to actualise the theme of the programme under the guidance of the facilitators from Crown Troupe of Africa led by Segun Adefila, and coordinating Director, renowned Dramatist and writer, Ben Tomoloju.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Vice Chairman, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd, Mrs Francesca Emanuel said that “Nigeria: My Tears, My hopes” has been selected to capture the “fact that children and the youths also have an important role to play in the process of nation building and that adults have a responsibility to take the future and expectations of our young into considerations as we navigate through the many challenges that confront us as a nation.”

This edition of the Macmillan Youth Literary Day she pointed out, also affirms the commitment of Macmillan Nigeria Publishers towards developing young Nigerians as well as their preparation for a fulfilling adulthood and productive citizenship.

She explained in relation with the theme of the programme, that “tears may flow over the vices and evil in the land, we believe that we can still pave a new path of hope and optimism, especially for the Nigerian youths.

According to Emanuel, the Literary Day is a part of the “Macmillan’s corporate social responsibility, which aims at demonstrating that Nigeria can still realise her noble and glorious destiny…”