University VC tasks creative writers on solutions to maritime woes

The Vice Chancellor of Adeleke University, Prof. Solomon Adebola, has admonished creative writers to highlight the problems affecting the nation’s maritime sector through their literary works and offer solutions.

Adebola made the call while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maritime Writes Project (MWP) three-day Creative Writing Bootcamp at the institution in Osun State.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Dean of Arts, Prof. Adegbite Tobalase, expressed optimism that increasing the literature for children on the maritime industry will not only stimulate career interest of younger ones in the sector, but equally begin a discussion on solutions to recurring shipping challenges in the nation.

He said the over 70 per cent of goods imported into the country that comes by sea underscores the importance of maritime to the nation.

“In the course of the training, some of the challenges confronting the sector have been discussed and we are hoping that some of the writers will project these challenges and find lasting solutions to them.

“MWP is building awareness about maritime and this is needed to ensure more people take up careers in the sector. This industry holds a lot of opportunities for children and youths. There is also a lot that can be achieved via writing and the MWP harps on these benefits. The project is a two-way thing centred on maritime and also grooming people on creative writing,” he said.

Adebola said holding the three-day event at Adeleke University avails the institution a unique opportunity to showcase the state-of-the-art infrastructure and conducive learning environment to participants coming from various parts of the country.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s event “Maritime Heritages,” the vice chancellor described Osun Groove as one of the maritime heritages that younger ones should be exposed to in the nation.

According to him, several people feel that the Osun groove has to do with witchcraft and other spiritual things, but rather portends more because it represents the culture of the Osun people.

He equally explained that the Osun groove aptly qualifies as a maritime heritage, which provides a revenue-generating platform that attracts national and international tourists yearly.