…says 3rd edition reached over 150 young people

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS part of commentation of the 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month, curator and writer, Aida Oluwagbemiga, asserted that the third edition of Whimsical Reading Party serves as panacea to mental health challenges among Nigerian youths.

Speaking with Vanguard, Oluwagbemiga explained that launched in May 2022, the reading party was originally founded in collaboration with the Mental Health for Youth Initiative and The Breakfast Co (formerly The Milkshop), created by Aisha Abubakar Iya. What began as an intimate reading circle has now blossomed into a powerful platform for youth expression, healing, and a literary community.

She also served as the Book Jam Coordinator for the Abuja Literary Society and as Director of Philanthropy, where she championed youth engagement through literature and strategic partnerships. Her work bridges creativity, economy, finance, and policy, with a strong focus on wellness, inclusion, and community impact.

According to her, this year’s edition saw over 40 submissions, a significant rise from the inaugural year’s 23 entries, and introduced a competitive writing segment with a publication opportunity from Yonki Abuja, founded by Zainabu Ilham Malabu. In a positive turn, all top five entries will now be published digitally by Yonki Abuja, expanding the impact of these young writers’ voices, and partners this year include Zanco Co., a UK startup founded by Ifeanyichukwu Ukwu, was main sponsor.

Speaking on her passion about the initiative, she said, “I have always been passionate about literature and mental health, especially, among young people. I have witnessed how silence and self-harm have ravaged the lives of some incredibly talented youths—some who have worked with me, some who are family.

“When I first read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I became a strong believer in the power of a simple conversation. I wanted to celebrate the bravery it takes to be vulnerable, because sharing is like lightening the load of a ship—it makes the journey easier to bear.

“Personally, literature has saved me. When I am absorbed in a good book, I become blissfully distracted. Books open worlds to me. Sometimes I find characters or voices I deeply relate to. Sometimes, I discover that someone else has felt what I have felt, and that brings me companionship, happiness, and inspiration. These things have kept me going through dark times.

“I lost my father violently as a child. That experience isolated me; my peers couldn’t relate, and I didn’t have the words to express how I felt. My mother was overwhelmed by her own grief. Through books, I explored loss—sometimes through characters like Harry Potter, who also lost his parents. I didn’t have to see myself as a victim. Literature gave me context, language, and even hope. I know first-hand that books can change lives—and I believe more people need access to that transformative power.”

She further stated that, “The reading party is my way of reshaping how people see reading. I wanted to take the “nerd” stigma out of reading and make it something vibrant, stylish, and communal. Reading doesn’t have to be a solitary habit. It can be a shared experience—joyful, expressive, and fun.
Unlike book clubs or open mics, which can sometimes feel formal or bureaucratic, the reading party is intentionally playful and inclusive. It’s about celebrating the simple act of reading—whatever you read, however you read. Whether it’s fiction, poetry, or motivational books, if you read, you’re part of the community.

“We come together dressed up, excited, and open to exchanging ideas—not necessarily about the same books, but about the joy of reading itself. It’s a healthier alternative to the typical party scene: no drugs, no alcohol—just people high on caffeine, creativity, and connection. In a world full of chaos, sometimes it’s powerful to celebrate something as simple and positive as reading.”

She also maintained that the reading party can impact the lives of young people, “I want to inspire teenagers across Africa. I have always tried not to forget what it feels like to be a teenager—when everything is happening to you for the first time: heartbreak, loss, body changes, confusion. You often feel like no one else understands.
One of my favorite authors once said that teenagers are more interesting than adults because everything is new to them. But what many young people don’t realize is that their choices at that stage can shape the rest of their lives. They are at the zenith—the turning point—of their futures.

“I believe that developing the habit of reading, especially the right kind of reading, can help teenagers find healthier ways to process their emotions and maximize their potential. Books provide perspective, comfort, and even purpose. A single book can spark the change that transforms a life. I have seen it happen. It happened to me.”

Meanwhile, she (Oluwagbemiga) disclosed that, “By this third edition, we’ve reached over 150 young people. This includes submissions, readers, collaborators, and participants. This year alone, over 45 people sent in submissions, and 10 were shortlisted. We had 47 guests attend the event and worked with 6 collaborators. It has truly grown beyond what I initially imagined.”

The first-place winner, Salome Dolyamba Yelwa, an alumna of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) from Gombe State, moved the audience with her powerful essay titled “There are too many idiots in this world. And having said it, I have the burden of proving it.” Inspired by Frantz Fanon, her piece explored colorism, identity, and self-acceptance from the perspective of a dark-skinned woman confronting long-held societal prejudices.

On sustaining the initiative, she said it is basically on funding, sponsorship, and continued hard work.

“I am focused on identifying the right partners and expanding our reach. The more people we can reach, the better the submissions, and the more impact we can make.

“The goal is to publish an anthology—featuring top submissions—that will be downloadable and accessible to young people across Africa and beyond. I also want to attract submissions from all over the continent, to reflect a truly authentic African voice”, she added.