Research Essay Utilizes Two Poems from END SARS RHYTHMS and IHRAF's Webinar Paper

 

RESEARCH ESSAY UTILIZES TWO POEMS FROM END SARS RHYTHMS AND IHRAF'S WEBINAR PAPER

 

By: Wole Adedoyin (Director, IHRAF African Secretariat)

The research essay "Social Contradictions and Protest in the #EndSARS Poetry of Frank Kaliati and Nwokeabia Ifeanyi John" by Inyang Eme Ita (17/031144069), a graduating student from the Department of English and Literary Studies at the University of Calabar, focuses on the theme of police brutality and social protest as depicted in the poetry of a Malawian and Nigerian poets.

 

The essay explores the ways in which the poets express the contradictions and tensions in Nigerian and Malawian societies through their works, as well as the role of poetry in documenting social protest movements.

 

The two poems were taken from the END SARS RYTHMS edited by Terseer Sam Baki and Wole Adedoyin and published in paperback by the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) in New York, USA. It was a collaborative effort of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, SYNW, and the International Human Rights Arts Festival, IHRAF, to harness the thoughts, feelings and responses of Nigerian artists and creative writers and the international writing community on the theme of police brutality, assault and battery.

The first poem analyzed in the essay is “State Armed Robber Squads (SARS)" by Frank Kaliati expresses the brutality of the Nigerian police force, specifically the State Armed Robbers Squad (SARS), towards the citizens they are supposed to protect. The poet portrays the law as being lawless, raping the country of its peace and fraternity. The police force is likened to a deadly virus, with heavy black boots that are polished in black blood, and whose actions have resulted in the death and suffering of many Nigerians, leaving poverty-stricken mothers widowed and malnourished babies orphaned.

The poet highlights the betrayal of the police force, who have sworn to protect the citizens but instead unleash terror on them. The poem suggests that the spirits of the old have abandoned the country and the birds no longer sing sweet melodies in the morning, replaced by gunshots and beatings. Despite this, the people continue to fight back against the police force, armed with justice.

The second poem is " How Our Lights Are Put Off" by Nwokeabia Ifeanyi John. The poem describes the violent events that occurred at the Lekki toll gate in Nigeria, where peaceful protesters were demanding justice for voiceless victims. The protesters were met with violence from the authorities who shot at them, resulting in a sea of red splattered everywhere. The poet uses the metaphor of the lights being put off to describe the loss of hope and the anthem of patriotism becoming a dirge. However, the poet suggests that darkness cannot end life, and the burning fires of the minds of those who have been affected will forever be ignited.

The essay draws on the lecture paper presented by Onyekachi Peter Onuoha at the IHRAF's African Chapter webinar, which explores the role of literature in human rights. The paper argues that literature has the power to document human rights abuses and to provide a platform for protest and advocacy. The essay uses this framework to analyze the two poems and their contribution to the #EndSARS movement.

The essay also discusses the context of the #EndSARS movement, including the history of police brutality in Nigeria and the social and political factors that contributed to the protests. It highlights the role of social media and online activism in mobilizing the movement and the challenges faced by protesters, including violence and repression by the authorities.

The essay argues that the two poems provide powerful and insightful perspectives on the #EndSARS movement, and that they contribute to a growing body of literature documenting social protest in Nigeria. It also discusses the importance of poetry as a form of social commentary and resistance, and the ways in which it can inspire and motivate social change.

The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of documenting and analyzing social protest movements, such as #EndSARS, in order to understand the complexities of social and political change. It suggests that literature, and poetry in particular, can play a vital role in this process, by providing a voice for marginalized communities and by challenging dominant narratives and structures of power.

 

IHRAF African Chapter Establishes IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy

 

IHRAF AFRICAN CHAPTER ESTABLISHES IHRAF HUMAN RIGHTS ART ACADEMY

 

The African Chapter of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) has announced the establishment of the IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy, a new initiative aimed at advancing the cause of human rights in Africa through the arts. The announcement was made by the Director of IHRAF in Africa, Mr. Wole Adedoyin, who expressed his excitement about the new initiative and its potential impact.

Mr. Adedoyin thanked Thomas Block, the founder of the International Human Rights Art Festival, for sponsoring many literary activities aimed at advancing the cause of human rights in Africa. He noted that the IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy will build on this legacy by providing a platform for artists to use their talents to raise awareness about human rights issues.

The IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy will offer a range of programs and resources for artists, including workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. The academy will also provide artists with access to resources such as legal advice and funding to support their work.

The IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy will be open to artists working in all mediums, including visual art, music, theater, film, and literature. The academy will also welcome artists from across the African continent and beyond, creating a diverse community of artists working together to promote human rights.

The establishment of the IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy comes at a critical time for human rights in Africa. The continent is facing a range of challenges, including poverty, conflict, and inequality, that threaten the human rights of millions of people.

The arts have long played a vital role in promoting human rights, with artists using their talents to raise awareness about social and political issues. The IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy will build on this tradition, empowering artists to use their skills to make a real difference in the fight for human rights.

The IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy will also provide opportunities for artists to engage with human rights activists, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Through these interactions, artists will gain a deeper understanding of the issues at stake and develop new ways of promoting human rights through their work.

The IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy will be a hub for creativity and innovation, providing a space where artists can experiment and take risks in their work. By fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation, the academy will help to push the boundaries of what is possible in the fight for human rights.

The establishment of the IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy represents a major milestone in the history of the International Human Rights Art Festival. It reflects the festival's commitment to using the arts as a powerful tool for social change, and its belief that artists have a critical role to play in promoting human rights.

The IHRAF Human Rights Art Academy will be officially launched later this year, with a series of events and activities planned to celebrate its opening. The academy is already generating excitement among artists and human rights advocates across the African continent, and it is poised to become a major force for change in the years ahead.

 

IHRAF Admonishes African Writers, Artists and Musicians to Use Their Crafts to Advance the Cause of Human Rights

 

IHRAF ADMONISHES AFRICAN WRITERS, ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS TO USE THEIR CRAFTS TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

 

 

The International Human Rights Arts Festival (IHRAF), African Chapter has issued a statement calling on African writers, artists, and musicians to use their talents to advocate for human rights issues on the continent.

IHRAF is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the fundamental principles of human rights through the arts and literature. The organization has a strong focus on Africa, where human rights abuses are widespread and ongoing.

The statement from IHRAF African Chapter acknowledges the important role that artists, writers, and musicians can play in bringing attention to human rights issues, and in inspiring people to take action to address them. The organization believes that through their work, these artists can have a profound impact on public opinion and on the policies of governments and other organizations.

The International Human Rights Arts Festival (IHRAF) is urging African writers, artists, and musicians to use their crafts to advance the cause of human rights. IHRAF believes that the arts have a powerful role to play in raising awareness, challenging injustices, and inspiring change.

"The arts have a long history of being at the forefront of social justice movements, and Africa is no exception," said IHRAF African Director, Wole Adedoyin. "From the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa to the African American Civil Rights Movement, the arts have been a powerful tool in the fight for human rights."

IHRAF is particularly concerned about the human rights abuses that continue to occur across the continent, including restrictions on freedom of expression, gender-based violence, and the marginalization of minority groups. The organization believes that writers, artists, and musicians have a unique opportunity to use their voices to highlight these issues and bring about positive change.

"We are calling on African writers, artists, and musicians to use their creativity and influence to shine a light on the human rights challenges that we face," said Wole Adedoyin. "Their work has the power to inspire, educate, and bring about lasting change."

IHRAF is committed to supporting artists and creators in their efforts to advance the cause of human rights. The organization offers a platform for artists to showcase their work and connect with audiences, as well as resources and training to help them effectively communicate their messages.

In addition to supporting individual artists, IHRAF is also working with organizations and institutions across the continent to promote human rights through the arts. This includes partnerships with universities, cultural organizations, and human rights groups to organize events, exhibitions, and performances that highlight the role of the arts in advancing human rights.

"It is our hope that by coming together and using the power of the arts, we can make a meaningful impact on human rights in Africa," said Wole Adedoyin. "We believe that the arts have the power to bring people together, build bridges, and create a more just and equitable world."

IHRAF is proud to be a leading voice in the movement to advance human rights through the arts, and is committed to working with artists and organizations to make a positive impact on communities across Africa.

IHRAF African Chapter also stressed the importance of freedom of expression, and called on African governments to protect the rights of artists to freely express themselves and to create works that reflect their experiences and perspectives. The organization believes that a free and vibrant artistic community is essential for a healthy and thriving society, and is committed to working with governments and other organizations to promote artistic freedom.

IHRAF concluded its statement by urging African writers, artists, and musicians to embrace their role as advocates for human rights, and to use their talents to help create a better world. The organization is committed to supporting artists in this important work, and to amplifying their voices as they work to advance human rights and promote social justice.

The International Human Rights Arts Festival is proud to stand with African artists as they use their crafts to advance the cause of human rights, and looks forward to continuing to support their important work

 

 

 

Gabriel Sunday Afolayan and Tom Block named African Human Rights Short Story Competition Judges

 

GABRIEL SUNDAY AFOLAYAN AND TOM BLOCK NAMED AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT STORY COMPETITION JUDGES

 

The International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), organizer of the African Human Rights Short Story Competition has announced the selection of two judges for the ongoing Short Story competition aimed at promoting and supporting the realization of human rights in Africa.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Director of IHRAF in Africa, Wole Adedoyin disclosed that they have received over 100 outstanding entries from over 10 countries within and outside Africa.

To evaluate and select outstanding entries for the top prizes in the competition, the organizer of the African Human Rights Short Story Competition has unveiled two distinguished individuals with diverse experiences and expertise in Short Story Writing.

This year’s prizes will also be awarded in the names of the following African human rights defenders: Steve Biko Prize – $100, Pius Adebola Adesanmi PRIZE – $75 and Binyavanga Wainaina Prize – $50

 

The two selected judges are Gabriel Sunday Afolayan and Tom Block.

Gabriel Sunday Afolayan is a Nigerian newspaper columnist, a polytechnic lecturer, novelist, poet and public affairs commentator. His interest covers such genres as prose fiction, poetry and creative essays. He has been writing since his days in the university, contributing local news, articles and short stories for publication in national newspapers and magazines. He attended the Institute of Journalism, Benin City and later Enugu State University of Science and Technology,Enugu, as well as Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria,where he bagged his M.Sc in Mass Communication. He is currently researching a Ph.D in “Media and Ethno-political Crises in Nigeria” from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

 

  The Ekiti State-born writer started his journalism career with the defunct National Concord, where he rose to the position of State Correspondent, later to the TheGuardian newspaper as a Staff Reporter and Issues news magazine as Staff Writer. During his days in the news media, he extensively covered different beats, writing many lead stories on crime, political and allied metropolitan events and issues, with particular focus on investigative and interpretative journalism.

 

 A prolific writer, Afolayan’sfirst published title - Beyond the Silent Grave,published in 2001 by Spectrum Books, Ibadan -was an instant success.The 251-page fast paced novel was later nominated for many awards, including theCadbury/ANA Prose Prize and NLNG’s Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2004. The book was later awarded the FG/UBE Grant in 2013/2014 alongside some selected titles by different Nigerian authors for the education intervention programme of the Federal Ministry of Education.

 

 Apart from his media experience, he has worked in the manufacturing industry and rose to the post of Marketing Manager in a vegetable oil company in Ondo State before taking appointment with the Ondo State Polytechnic, now, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Nigeria, where he currently teaches journalism, media and communication courses in the Department of Mass Communication. As a public affairs analyst, he has been a regular personality on television and radio stations in Ondo State, featuring regularly on such programmes as Cross Fire, AM Today and Ojumo Ire – where topical issues affecting the society are discussed with other panelists. 

 

 Apart from a long dossier of about twenty well researched articles published in many reputable journals within and outside Nigeria, his works, ranging from full length novels, book chapters, poems and short stories in anthology collections, have enjoyed wide circulation and acceptance as literature reference materials in many universities across the globe. His other books also includeRomoke: the Little Orphan – published on the grant of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Pa Jeje’s Legendary Tales, The Recalcitrant King and The Sunshine Tales (an anthology of short stories),which he co-edited. His short story novelettes, particularly designed for primary school pupils, include Taiwo and His Naughty Friends, Death and the Three Greedy Rascals, The Richman and the Poor Beggars,among other titles. 

 

 As one of a few committedand established writers in the 21st century Africa, his works have been reviewed by different newspapers in Nigeria and scholars in first class institutions abroad. These include Safari Books, Channel Islands, UK, African Books Collective, Oxford, UK, University of Texas, Austin, USA,andWorld Literature Today, published at the University of Oklahoma, USA and some online platforms. One of his poems: Plagued by the Anger of Hunger was selected in 2021 as one of the “10 most outstanding entries” in the #EndSars poetry contest, organised by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) in collaboration with the US-based International Human Rights Arts Festival. 

 

 A literary activist and community development enthusiast, Afolayan is a member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), African Journalism and Communication League (AJCL) Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and currently the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ondo State Chapter and was once a member of the National Executive Committee of the association. He is married to former Miss Oluwatoyin Omodara and their union is blessed with godly and wonderful children.

 

Tom Block is a playwright, author of five books and 20+ year visual artist. His plays have been developed and produced at such venues as the Ensemble Studio Theater, HERE, Dixon Place, Theater for the New City, IRT Theater, Theater at the 14th Street Y, Theater Row, A.R.T.-NY and many others. He was the founding producer of the International Human Rights Art Festival (2017), the Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (2010) and a Research Fellow at DePaul University (2010). He has exhibited his artwork and spoken about his ideas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East. www.tomblock.com

The longlist of 20 outstanding entries are expected to be announced in the middle of February, 2023.