Every school’s academic year, the Society organises series of its AIFA Book Club for students in secondary schools in Lagos. The Society reviews recommended literature in secondary school’s curriculum to expand the students’ horizon about the books and prepares them for their examinations. In view of this, the Society held book club session with students in Victoria Island Secondary School, Okesuna Secondary School, Corona Secondary School, Agbara and beneficiaries of Slum2School Africa.
AIFA Book Club with Victoria Island Secondary School – Tuesday, March 15, 2022
On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the Society organised an AIFA Book Club session for students of Victoria Island Secondary School, Lagos. The students discussed Ralph Ellison’s book, ‘The Invisible man.’ The story follows the narrator, an unnamed black man as he struggles with self-identity, black identity and racism. Although the story mirrors the present-day struggles of African Americans, the students were able to relate instances in the book to their personal experiences and the experiences of others in the media. It is always fascinating to discuss books with teenagers who explore the stories beyond context.
AIFA Book Club with Slum2school Beneficiaries – March 30, 2022
On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Society held an AIFA Book Club session for Slum2School Africa beneficiaries, at the Slum2School STEM Center, Makoko. Leopold Sedar Senghor’s poem ‘Black woman’ was discussed, where Leopold through personifications, describes the beauty of Africa, its strength and riches and weakness in the imagery of a woman. The students discussed each stanza of this interesting poem, comparing Africa with the nature of mothering figures that welcomes and embraces everyone irrespective of their backgrounds. However, some students pointed out that, this welcoming nature sometimes exposes Africa to threats and external issues that are harmful to its citizens and the land itself. Click the “Black Woman” to read the poem and remember to share your comments with us.
AIFA Book Club with Victoria Island Secondary School and Okesuna Secondary High School, Lagos – July 6 and 7, 2022
Back to AIFA Book Club with secondary school students, the Society organised reading sessions on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7, July 2022 for Victoria Island Senior Secondary School and Okesuna Senior Secondary School respectively. In both schools, the book “Fences” by August Williams and the themes of racial discrimination, masculinity and femininity, betrayal, dissatisfaction, family, and duties as well as dreams and hopes were discussed. The book revolves around the major character, Troy who has excessive pride in a breadwinning role that overshadows his sense of humanity and compassion. The book addresses common but challenging issues that affect parents and children such as enforcing career choices by parents and the reactions/actions of children in such situations. The students from both schools agreed that people should aim to strike a balance and compromise on certain decisions that will affect other people, especially their children.
AIFA Book Club with Slum2school Beneficiaries – July 8, 2022
Finally on AIFA Book club for the first half of 2022. Another book club was organised for Slum2School Beneficiaries on July 8, 2022. This session reviewed an already discussed story, ‘True Happiness’ by Efua Traore, The Society had proposed this story to the students to get the opinion of young people whose age are about that of the major character in the story. Some students shared personal experiences and how the book resonates with them during the discussion. The students admired the major character who remained unnamed in the story.
AIFA Book Club at Victoria Island School – October 19, 2022
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the Society organised AIFA Book Club session for students at Victoria Island Senior Secondary School, Lagos on the poem “Grieveland” by Agostinho Neto. Agostinho’s poem describes the ill treatment faced by Africans during the colonial era, the students appreciate the poet’s use of diction an language in the poem describing it to be realistically imaginative thus, gives them a better imaginative experience of the era.
Virtual AIFA Book Club with Students of Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Lagos – November 16, 2022
On November 16, 2022, a session of AIFA Book Club was held for students at Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Lagos on one of Chimamanda Adichie’s book, Purple Hibiscus. This session was anchored by one of the Society’s volunteer, Ms. Ephratah Oyewole and representatives of the Society, Ms. Ijeoma Ezenwere and Magdaline Oyoroh.
The discussion revolved around the theme of ‘family’, wherein, the students’ highlighted why parents should avoid becoming tyrants but should be intentional about showing kindness to their children and setting a good example. Also mentioned, was the importance of children regularly checking on the wellbeing of their parents, since they may sometimes need support that only family can offer. Other themes discussed includes hypocrisy, violence, women marginalization, love, and freedom.
