Africana Literati, a new arts and culture TV show, which promotes African literature premieres today on Africa Magic Family at 11 AM (WAT).
Isabella Akinseye, award winning essayist, writer and On Air Personality, is the host of the programme.
According to Akinseye who is also the brain behind the project, “Africana Literati TV show is aimed at reviving the reading culture with a focus on celebrating our own stories and culture.”
Akinseye who started her TV career reviewing books on a weekly segment Bookaholic with Bella on Silverbird television in 2009 gave up her corporate communications job at Nestle Nigeria PLC to focus on her company, Yellow Tamarind Productions.
Akinseye who is a graduate of Education with English and Drama from the University of Cambridge ran the popular Bookaholic Blog with award winning essayist and writer, Temitayo Olofinlua while the pair worked at leading publishing firm, Kachifo Limited.
Akinseye said, “We have very few art shows out there. Abroad, arts and culture are a big deal, but here in Nigeria, it is politics, music, sports, reality and fashion. Africana Literati is making reading and learning cool. On each episode, culture critic, Dr. Wilfred Okiche reviews a book by an African author and budding OAP, Harri Obi handles the vox pop segment. I go back to my education roots on the ‘Back to School’ segment which focuses on spelling, pronunciation and African slang.”
The 13-episodes series, with each episode running for half an hour, includes profiles of African literary greats, top 5 countdowns, African proverbs and giveaways to nurture budding writing talent. The show will air every Saturday at 11 am on Africa Magic Family Dstv channel 154.
