Writers Residencies are not easy to come by. The one established in Ilorin, Kwara State, by Dr. Dipo Usman Akanbi named Imodoye Writers Residency took off recently with five writers as beneficiaries. Edozie Udeze who once visited the Enclave, writes on the imperative nature of the place and what authors stand to gain from it.

Little drops of water, as they say, make a mighty ocean. Dreams come to reality only when the dreamer puts his dream into action. That is exactly the true story behind the establishment of the Imodoye Writers Residency, Ilorin, Kwara State. It is the brainchild of Dr. Dipo Usman Akanbi. Incidentally, Akanbi is a scholar, whose area of specialization is Agricultural Science. He is a Lecturer at the University of Ilorin. However, his love for literature and in literary matters almost and always overwhelms his love for other aspects of scholarship.

To begin with, the history of writers’ residency has come a long way. In different parts of the world, lovers of the art have chosen to establish all categories of residencies where writers and other creative individuals are usually given certain periods of time to hibernate. During this moment, the artist has the serenity, and is also allowed to stay within the residency and produce a certain number of works as specified by the agreement with the owner of the residency.

What this means is that the owner of the residency provides all the necessary conveniences that will enable the artist stay comfortably well, writes and produces his works. While that happens, the artist is also given some stipends to enable him work effectively on his project. It has been noted over the years that many artists who could not have had the convenience on their own to advance their creativity have been able to achieve more through this sort of programme. The truth of the matter is that many great writers, award winning authors and critics, have had their great moments and breakthroughs courtesy of residencies.

Writers’ residencies are not really easy to provide or achieve. It takes a lot of facilities and resources to provide one. It also takes an artist or a lover of the art a lot of task to bring his dream to fruition. You may ask; what does the owner of the writers residency stand to gain by establishing such a capital intensive facility? One, the owner feels fulfilled, feels good that he has done what helps creativity. Two, there are certain royalties accruable in terms of the production of the work done while in the residency. Give or take, both sides gain from it.

Besides, artists generally feel permanently attached to the sentiment of this arrangement. And so, for Dipo being the son of a man whose love for humanity and the society had been indelible, his efforts towards the art is clearly understandable. Dipo’s father, the late Justice Mustapha Akanbi was the pioneer chairman of ICPC. So it goes to say, like father like son. He said “I was driven to start Imodoye Residency by my passion for the arts. It is a vehicle for me to share my love for writing and then develop other writers and contribute my own bit to the humanity. Therefore, this residency is a passion project. And this passion is the driving force which made it possible for me to surmount and overcome obstacles and challenges I encountered while trying to establish it”.

He goes on: “Coming from a background that favours literary advancement and even in spite of my science background, it is not really surprising that I found myself within the ranks of writers, creative people generally. Over the years, my involvement with Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), opened my eyes to so many areas of literary creativity. And more importantly, my constant encounter and interactions with Dr. Wale Okediran, founder of Ebedi Writers Residency, Iseyin, Oyo Sate, eventually encouraged me to consider the establishment of the Imodoye Writers Enclave”.

He was not only enamoured by it all, Dipo has since remained focus, resolute, refusing to be dissuaded by the inanities of the present situation in the society. He goes on again: I was also fascinated by the activities of Hilltop Creative Arts Centre, Minna, Niger State. There young boys and girls with great writing skills and instincts are encouraged to converge for mentoring on hoe to create literary works. For me, therefore literature has enriched me greatly, immeasurably so. Writing has given me education, inspiration and insight. All these have indeed made me more meaningful and purposeful in life. This is one of the reasons I want to share my enjoyment with others in the area of literature. Now that I have it I do not wish to deny others the benefits, the rare privileges and opportunities”.

The residency for this year has begun in earnest, involving five writers, cutting across all genres of literature. Dipo agreed that he would also give them a few coins to augment their stay. More so, he has chosen to enable them see the city of Ilorin and probably visit other interesting settlements within Kwara State. Of course, this is how it is done all over. And the experiences thus gathered are likely going to generate fresh story ideas and new creative works.

So far, the Enclave, located in one of the choice areas of Ilorin has shown how its exclusivity can be of help to creativity. The entrance to the place is narrow and a bit clumsy, deliberately done to discourage intruders. Inside are beds of flowers, well-trimmed lawns as well as other clusters of houses meant as guests rooms. The conveniences are of modern standards, attractive enough to meet the needs of users. Imodoye is somewhat exquisite, a splendour provided on purpose. Its first attractiveness can be indelible to the mind because as it is said, first impression matters. It is cozy. It is roomy. It is well-ventilated, cocooned within an area where nature hibernates and where you see lizards and birds coming and flying in their habitats. Seeing them alone can put story ideas in a writers head. The birds sing. The lizards run about, nodding their heads, chasing one another.

The trees swing to and fro. They produce fresh airs that seep through your skins producing some kind of peace within. They inspire you with their everlasting greenery and you try to reach out to smell and touch them. Then the flowers bloom, they blossom, each beckoning with assortments of colours. This is Imodoye, with the people around displaying some level of civility to visitors. It shows indeed an atmosphere where literature can be born, where ideas must be brought into the open.

So far, two of Nigerian foremost playwrights, dramatists, poets and literature and English language teachers, Professors Emeritus, have visited the Enclave. They are Olu Obafemi and Femi Osofisan, Professors Emeritus of the University of Ilorin and the University of Ibadan respectively. Their impression about the quality of the place is remarkable. They came out with high praises of what Imodoye has come to represent in the lives of authors and writers in Nigeria. Imodoye, generally, stands out as an example worthy of emulation and patronage.