As part of efforts to inspire the development of African literature hinged on the blue economy, over 50 participants from littoral communities in Nigeria have been selected to partake in the 2024 edition of Maritime Writes Project (MWP) Creative Writing Bootcamp.

The bootcamp, themed: “Protecting Heritages in the Blue Economy,” is scheduled to be held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre, Ikeja, Lagos from August 30 to 31, 2024.
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The Project Coordinator/ Convener, the Maritime Writes Project, Ezinne Azunna, observed that although Africa constantly produces world-class authors, less than one per cent of available fictional works depict the blue economy estimated to be worth $300 billion with over 49 million jobs.

She said early exposure to fiction with marine and maritime themes could be the panacea for sea blindness and could also nudge many children and youths into choosing a career from the over 100 Blue professions.

“At MWP, participants will not only be exposed to the maritime sector, but they will also equally be guided to enhance their literary skills.

“We equip participants with the requisite skills and that we will do free of charge, thanks to our collaborators. At the end of the training, participants are expected to write their short stories, closely supervised by the Faculty, that is the practical part of what they will be learning,” she stated.

Azunna said besides the training, participants have a chance to interact with captains of industry. who will serve as mentors.

She said each participant will also be offered an opportunity to become an author as the 10 best projects determined by the creative writing review and editing panel will be published.

“The Maritime Writes Project is a not-for-profit organisation that holds Creative Writing workshops annually to guide children, youths and women of all ages, within and around littoral communities in Nigeria and Africa, to author fiction that is hinged on the blue economy,” she stated.
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