Last Saturday added to the memorable moments of the Former Chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors, Kwara State Chapter (Kwara-ANA), Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, as he presented his new body of work titled "Labake Isale Eko & Other Plays" to the reading public.

The public presentation of the new drama book, along side 2009 poetry book, Verdant Verses, held at African People's Hall, Onikanga, G.R.A, Ilorin, was well attended by prolific writers, authors, scholars, jurists, legislators, journalists, family, friends, colleagues and other loved ones of the author, including ANA President, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Hon. Justice Isa Salami (retd.) and author's father, Justice Mustapha Akanbi (retd.).

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Wale Okediran, welcomed everyone to the public presentation of Labake Isale Eko and Other Plays, and observed that the book title took form from actual people and events in Isale Eko, Lagos.

According to the medical doctor, a public presentation of book is like a child ceremony for writers, which like the birth of a new baby ceremony, comes after the birth of the new book.

“For us writers, a public presentation is like a child ceremony. We consider books as a new born. For us when a book comes out, it calls for a great celebration,” he said.

The former House of Reps member representing Osun also used the occasion to thank Justice Mustapha Akanbi (retd.) for churning out a son who is living up to the needs of the creative industry and hoped the book would do well in the industry.

Also speaking, an Associate Professor, Dr. Jaleel Ojuade of the Faculty of Theatre and Performing Arts, University of Ilorin  (Unilorin), said reviewing the books of a man of many career paths, though a herculean task, gave him joy because the author had contributed yet a great collection of plays.

According to the reviewer, Labake Isale Eko and Other Plays is a book on love, fate, life and its attendant vicissitudes, challenges and ultimate triumph intertwined in a simple setting of a typical African-Yoruba home and culture.

He added that, “It is a story of challenges and pressure associated with making right choices in marriage faced by maidens and suitors alike. It is a story of father’s love for an only daughter after the death of his wife; tendency to help and influence the choice based on his perception, idea and definition of marital bliss. His quick realization of this fatal error and timely amend by giving his daughter the free hand to choose according to her conscience."

Dr. Ojuade also said the drama book reminded one that love could be found in the most unexpected place, and held out great lessons for everyone in the society especially young men and women; noting however that like every mortal, the book has few imperfections.

“The seeming drama played out in real life story of Oyinkan Abayomi (nee Ajasa) and Kofo Abayomi (formerly known as Kofo John),” the varsity lecture observed, adding that the playwright had done a wonderful job.

While commenting on the author last poetry book, Verdant Verses, Dr. Ojuade said that the anthology is seasoned with life that gives life to humanity.

The author of the two books presented at the gathering, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, in his speech, gave gratitude to Almighty God for saving the day for him, as well as his invited and uninvited guests who added to the success of the public presentation by gracing the occasion.

He said the success story of a writer lies in his or her audience interest in the true or fictitious plot he or she built with words, “The writer wants to build a world with words and he has succeeded when readers want to explore that world with him or her as the case may be.”

The author who is also an Agriculture Economist implored people seeking knowledge, skills, ideas and solutions to be ready to empty themselves from known in order to gain access to the unknown, stressing he did the same to gain access to new insights in the art of creative writings when he started in the late ‘90s, “We must empty ourselves of what we know so that we can absorb more.”

According to him, the ability to understand creative writing is one of the most wonderful assets a man could possess and the ability to use it for the enhancement of humanity is even more wonderful.

The prolific writer whose works had been heavily influenced by the cosmopolitan ideals by which he was brought up, said as a creative writer, opening up to all had assisted in making his works accessible to as many people as possible.

The author cum lecturer at Unilorin also said he was greatly stimulated in the reading and writing culture by her parents when growing up and hinted that the lead drama piece: Labake Isale Eko, in his new book, drew inspiration from a true life story that happened long time ago in Lagos, adding that other pieces in the collection also have historical antecedents.

The book public presentation jointly anchored by Kwara ANA Chairman, Mallam AbdulRahman Aderinoye and his Secretary, Mr. Babayemi Opeyemi also witnessed a musical performance from The Prestige Cultural Troupe as well as poetry and short stories presentations from Kwara ANA members: Mr. Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole (Prince H.T.O), Miss Alimat Taiwo Suleiman (Pen Power) and Mr. Babayemi Opeyemi  (Seatosea).