By Dipo Olowookere
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.
A renowned Nigerian poet, Dike Chukwumerije, 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.
Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem, 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.
