By PRISCA SAM-DURU
For the sole aim of reassuring despondent  Nigerians that all hope at recovering the Nation from its present state of  quagmire, is not lost, the 9th  Macmillan Literary Night, held penultimate week at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos.

The long night of entertainment which featured performances from different genres of art, was tagged Blazing Hope, a theme which according to  Chairman of Macmillan Publishers Limited, Bode  Emmanuel,  was “aptly selected to re-enforce the momentum of amazing hope and inspire Nigerians to be courageous in the face of seemingly intractable challenges”.

*Ben Tomoloju performing with NEFERTITI at the event.

Enumerating some of the factors which have bedeviled  the nation as malpractices, insecurity, endemic corruption, poor infrastructures, poverty, favouritism, nepotism,  violence, vandalism, cultism, robbery, child abuse, child  trafficking, sexual perver sions, HIV/AIDS, misrule etc, he pointed out that with passion targeted at building a greater Nigeria, the issue of nation building where peace and justice reign, would be achieved.

“It is obvious that the role of writers and Literature as worthy hope of the Nigeria project is vital especially in championing the cause of social change for the common good and reflecting the true aspirations of the generality of the people”, He added.

The event which accommodated less speeches and more performances and readings by known faces in show business in the country  was in a way, assembled  to revisit writer’s commentaries on Nigeria’s past, present and the future so as to assess the possibility of a better Nation.

Also on display to add colour and glamour to the event, were five outstanding titles such as, Like Saints Like Serpents written by Jide Oguntoye, Ayo Bamodu’s Call Monah, Onions Make Us Cry by Zainabu Jallo, Long Shadows authored by Becky Uba Umenyili and Imaobong Nsehe’s When a Past Came Calling, all from the stable of  Macmillan.

The main show kicked off with O ti ya, meaning It is Time. It was a Dance Drama by Crown Troupe of Africa which was directed by Segun Adefila . The performance highlighted issues of hunger, poverty, poor electricity supply, refinery saga, agriculture and other topical matters.

Songs of Yore, a song which was performed by the group with sonorous voice, Nefertiti had the special appearance of master artiste Ben Tomoloju, thrilling the entire audience  with his usual melodious voice.

In all, the event of the night was quite informative, instructive and to an extent, comic with presentations  masterfully interpreted by Nollywood Stars, Nobert Young, Tina Mba and Joke Silva who was most outstanding. There were also readings by Jumoke Verissimo and Ihria Enakhimio

The selected works were narratives of the decaying Nigerian  society with an additional ray of hope hence, the event title, Blazing Hope while others were out rightly, satirical of the Nigerian society.

It was like saving the best for last as rapping the show  up with another dance drama, was once again,  Crown Troupe of Africa which stormed the  stage with Footprints of David. The collab performance by the talented dancers indeed, raised the roof.