Poets from
around the world have commended Nigerian Breweries Plc for its sponsorship of
the Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFEST 2017).
The
commendation was made on Saturday, November 4, 2017, during the closing
ceremony of the festival, which held at Freedom Park, Lagos where various poets
wrapped up the festival with amazing performances.
Dike
Chukwumerije, a renowned Nigerian poet, said that Nigerian Breweries has done
well by promoting the arts, especially poetry as it integrated Lagos with the
rest of the world through the Lagos International Poetry Festival.
“It is a
commendable act for Nigerian Breweries to support this initiative. The company
has helped to build bridges and links between Lagos – the city of culture – and
other cities around the world through literature and poetry,” he said. He
further stated that the company has enabled a platform that would expose Nigerian
poets to various styles and art forms in the country and around the world.
Yomi Sode,
a British-Nigerian poet, said that because poetry is an art form that needs
expression in diverse ways to be able to mirror society, poets should be
encouraged and platforms that would help discover more poets should be created.
“The Lagos International Poetry Festival is a giant stride in this direction
and thanks to Nigerian Breweries for making this happen,” he said.
Kufre
Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, explained that the
company sponsored the poetry festival because it is in line with its commitment
to youth empowerment and talent development in the country. He further stated
that it is a strand in the fabric of the company’s philosophy of “Winning with
Nigeria.”
“We
recognise that the arts play an important role in strengthening the cultural
values of our society, and we believe that we can help to contribute to the
breeding of young, emerging talents and create a shared performance space for
poets from Nigeria and across the world,” he disclosed.
The closing
event on Saturday saw various poets from around the world render
verses and spoken word performances that inspired, educated and intrigued
lovers of poetry who graced the occasion.
The 2017
LIPFEST, the third in the series, included panel discussions, workshops,
performances, events and school visits in its line-up of events.
Efe Paul
Azino, Founder/Director, Lagos International Poetry Festival, said that
Nigerian Breweries’ support reflects the character of the company in its huge
investment in the intellectual life of Nigeria and Nigerians. “Nigerian
Breweries should be lauded for its immense support of initiatives that add
value to people,” he said.
Nigerian
Breweries Plc is a significant sponsor of a broad spectrum of initiatives which
cover diverse areas in health, water, education, talent development and youth
empowerment across the country. The company has sponsored the Lagos
International Poetry Festival since its inception in 2015.
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