Famous Poets, Lanre Sonde, Ovie Mac, Godson Osarenren Set To Thrill The World On Naija Poetry Fest 2.0, March 21st

 

 

 

Get ready, Lagos! The highly anticipated Naija Poetry Fest 2.0, in collaboration with Alliance Française, is gearing up to celebrate World Poetry Day with a spectacular event themed “Poetry in Motion: Wheeling Around the World.” Scheduled for March 21st, 2025, at 4 pm Nigerian time at Alliance Française/Mike Adenuga Center, Ikoyi. This literary extravaganza promises to be an unforgettable experience for poetry lovers of all ages.

Aptly nurtured to bloom by award winning poet, Godson Osarenren, Convener and author of the “Bush Radio”, Naija Poetry Fest 2.0 aims to propel Nigerian poetry onto the global stage. This year’s edition boasts a stellar lineup of literary luminaries who will engage in a panel of discussion.

But that’s not all! The festival will also feature the internationally acclaimed Nigerian poet, Lanre Sonde, alongside the visionary art illustrator Ovie Mac Solomon. Their collaborative exhibition, “Sonder with Sonde and the Silent Witnesses,” promises to mesmerize the audience with its unique fusion of poetry, storytelling, and conceptual art.

Attendees can look forward to a vibrant program packed with poetry competitions, prestigious awards, and captivating musical performances. The event will be a celebration of the power of words to transcend boundaries and connect hearts across the globe.

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the magic of Nigerian poetry in motion. Mark your calendars for March 21st and join us at Alliance Française/Mike Adenuga Center, Ikoyi, Lagos, as we celebrate World Poetry Day in grand style!

South Korean Fighter Jet Accidentally Drops Bombs on Village, Injuring Civilians

Seoul, South Korea – A South Korean Air Force KF-16 fighter jet mistakenly dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside the designated firing range during a joint military exercise on Thursday, causing civilian injuries and property damage.

The incident occurred around 10:00 am (0100 GMT) in Pocheon, a town located approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) south of the heavily fortified border with North Korea.

“We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery,” the Air Force said in an official statement. It also announced the formation of an accident response committee to investigate the mishap and pledged compensation for damages.

According to South Korea’s National Fire Agency, the bombs are believed to have fallen on a village during a South Korea-US joint exercise, leading to significant destruction. The agency reported that at least four people sustained serious injuries, while three others suffered minor wounds. Several homes and a church building were also damaged.

‘Like a Thunderclap’ – Witnesses Recall Horror

Local residents described the harrowing moment of impact. Park, a villager who witnessed the accident, recounted, “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos.”

Yu, the director of a senior center located about a kilometer from the blast site, told Yonhap news agency that the explosion was so intense it shattered windows and injured a teacher. “Fortunately, none of the seniors were hurt, but they were so frightened that we sent them all home,” Yu added.

Joint Military Drills Under Scrutiny

The accident occurred amid ongoing military exercises between South Korea and the United States. The joint “Freedom Shield” drills, one of the allies’ largest annual training operations, are set to begin later this month. The US military maintains a significant presence in South Korea, stationing tens of thousands of troops to help deter threats from North Korea.

This is not the first time South Korea has experienced a military training accident. In 2022, a Hyunmu-2 ballistic missile misfired and crashed into a military golf course in Gangwon Province, though no injuries were reported in that incident.

With tensions on the Korean Peninsula remaining high, the latest accident has sparked concerns over the safety protocols governing live-fire military exercises near civilian areas. Authorities have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to prevent future occurrences.

Next Steps

Military officials have promised to review procedures and reinforce safety measures to ensure such an accident does not happen again. Meanwhile, emergency services continue to provide assistance to those affected, as the nation grapples with the unexpected fallout from a routine military drill gone wrong.

 

Lagos Lawmakers Deny Holding Reconciliation Meeting With Obasa

 

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have denied holding any reconciliation meeting with the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa.

Obasa was reinstated on Monday after Mojisola Meranda tendered her resignation as Speaker weeks after serious tensions in the House.

The tension had resulted from the removal of Obasa on January 13 forcing party leaders to hold various meetings with the aggrieved lawmakers for a solution.

A report had claimed on Tuesday that the Speaker was in a reconciliatory meeting with the lawmakers.

However, lawmakers who attended the meeting denied that it was reconciliatory. According to them, the agenda at the short meeting had nothing to do with reconciliation.

“First, one of the issues we raised as a reason for his removal happened again. A meeting scheduled for 1pm did not hold until 2.30pm. We were all kept waiting and when he arrived, there was no apology for the late commencement of the meeting.

“He went straight to the agenda after he passively acknowledged that we were still bitter with the way we were forced to bring him back and none of us contributed at the meeting,” one of the lawmakers said.

Another member of the House confirmed that a meeting actually held but added that “it was to inundate us about the case brought against us by the suspended Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko.

“The matter comes up on Thursday. Ordinarily, it is a civil matter, so we were concerned that he had to involve the Department of State Services (DSS) which further led to the invitation and arrest of some of our colleagues.

“Aside these, nothing else happened. The meeting lasted just a few minutes and we all left.

“I want you to know that his return was not a selfless decision by us. It was done simply because we respect leaders like Baba Bisi Akande and Aremo Olusegun Osoba. In our hearts and souls, we do not want him up till this moment.”

The lawmaker said there was still mass anger within the Assembly as adding that it would be difficult for the state legislature to remain the same.

“We are still waiting that he would throw in the towel and honor the agreement with the Baba Akande led committee for the House to continue with the peace and progress it experienced lately before his return,” he said.