Recently, the Modupeola Creative Writing Club was launched in Lagos to help harness the creative skills of youths in Nigeria.
With the theme, Digital Literacy, to kick start harnessing initiative, the club organised a poetry competition to encourage creativity and test the digital literacy knowledge of students from schools in Lagos State.
The expressions in stanzas and verses were apt as the students presented their original poems. After rounds of poetic battle, three schools – Top Grade Secondary School, Surulere, Queens College Yaba, and Fountain Height Secondary School, Surulere – made it to the final stage. At the end of the exercise, Top Grade Secondary, Surulere Lagos emerged as the winner of the competition.
According to the convener, Mrs. Modupeola Olumegbon, an accountant by training and profession, the criteria for selecting the winner was based on creativity, delivery and emotional impact.
Speaking on the objective of the club and the competition, the convener, Olumegbon said the essence is to encourage creativity, discover talent and educate students on the basis of digital literacy. “Digital literacy isn’t just about using devices; it’s about understanding technology, being ethical online, and communicating effectively. Our decision at Modupeola Creative Writing Club to host the digital literacy poetry competition was informed by a visionary blend of fstering artistic expression and empowering young minds in the digital age.
“I noticed that most of the youths these days are not well informed about the digital world. For example, a number of them don’t use their digital device and the internet for the things that would be beneficial to them. Some of them feel that when they are in cyberspace (internet) they can insult whoever that is in that same space with them, not knowing that such a person could be their father’s or uncle’s mate. So by intertwining poetry with technology, I believe as a creative writing club, we have created a platform where words transcend paper, resonating across screens and algorithms,” she said.
Addressing cyber bullying, Olumegbon maintain that respect for both youths and elders is crucial, stressing that there are some things needs to be focused on, like teaching young people about the impact of cyber bullying and helping elders understand digital platforms; encourage respectful online behaviour for both youth and elders, create an environment for sharing experiences and solutions.
She said, “Addressing cyber bullying is a collective effort. By fostering understanding and empathy across generations, together we can create a safer digital space for everyone.”
The chief executive officer of Modupe’s Kitchen, called on the government at all levels to encourage creative writing and digital literacy in Nigeria, integrate it into the education system by collaborating with schools to incorporate it into the curriculum; promote literary competitions to highlight the importance of literary excellence and celebrate talented writers.
“As we gather here, bathed in the warm glow of creativity, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude as our young poets has written powerful poems on the topic: Digital Literacy. The verses that graced our stage were like constellations – each unique, twinkling with its own brilliance.
“They spoke of love, loss, resilience, and hope; they danced between pixels and metaphors, bridging the gap between screens and souls. Let’s celebrate their creativity and remember that words matter, whether on paper or screens. Let’s embrace the intersection of art and technology.
“Government should establish digital libraries, support local authors, collaborate with tech companies, empower youth writers, and promote multilingualism. Remember, nurturing creativity and literacy benefits society as a whole,” she enthused.
She added that the competition would be a yearly event.
