• Date: Saturday, 25th March 2023
• Venue: Former Caravan 4, Aja-Pessu (Pessu Town), Warri
• Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Volunteers Present: 6 Total
• Number of Attendees: 42

Introduction:

The 9th session of the Itsekiri NextGen Project in 2023 was dedicated to the March edition of our monthly book review. This session aimed to engage participants positively by discussing the books they read during their stay at home for the election break.

Session Overview:

In preparation for this session, each participant was provided with a book to read during the election break to ensure their constructive involvement during the period.

Participants arrived early for the session and engaged in conversations while eagerly waiting for it to begin. The session commenced with Esijolomi Tedeye offering the opening prayer, followed by the soulful singing of the Itsekiri anthem. The coordinator then briefly revisited the Health Safety and Environment topic, which had been discussed in the previous session.

Book Review Process:

Eworitsemogha Wyse took the stage to facilitate the book review session. The participants were grouped into teams, starting with Team Ikenwoli and progressing sequentially to Team Atuwatse II, Ginuwa II, and Erejuwa II.

Each participant shared insights into the book they read, discussing lessons learned and new words discovered. Eworitsemogha Wyse posed questions related to the books to further enrich the discussion.

Challenges Faced:

Notably, Timeyin Kpiasi expressed regret for not being able to read his assigned book as he had to go on a trip and did not take the book along. Additionally, some participants found their assigned books to be somewhat complex, which affected their ability to participate actively.

Attendance and Technical Issues:

The session witnessed a lower turnout than expected, which consequently influenced the number of participants who participated in the book review. Nonetheless, the attendees maintained a cheerful disposition throughout the session.

Unfortunately, we encountered a technical issue during the session as the camera provided for documentation purposes was uncharged and, therefore, could not be utilized.

Conclusion:

The March edition of the book review for the Itsekiri NextGen Project’s 2023 session was a valuable opportunity for participants to share their literary experiences and insights. Despite the challenges faced, the session remained engaging and informative, fostering a sense of learning and community among the attendees. We look forward to even more enriching sessions in the future, addressing and overcoming any issues that may arise.