Lola Shoneyin reads on Infusion’s anniversary

It was a special occasion because it marked exactly a year since the first edition of the event that has found a home at JB Grills in the Maitama Amusement Park and trust Lola and her Infusion partner, Dapo Oyewole to make the most of it. There was even an anniversary cake. But not before […]

It was a special occasion because it marked exactly a year since the first edition of the event that has found a home at JB Grills in the Maitama Amusement Park and trust Lola and her Infusion partner, Dapo Oyewole to make the most of it. There was even an anniversary cake. But not before Lola read.

Before her though came Joshua the Poet, who set the tone with his poem “I Crave for You.” It seemed like a response of the Nigerian man, who the womenfolk say are not romantic enough. The ladies particularly cheered loudly when he was through.

And then C-flow came and upped the ante with some flowing melodies. When Dapo, who compeered the night’s events, introduced her and said “Beyonce has got nothing on you.” Many in the audience who had never heard her sing wondered what he was talking about. But the singer took the temperature a notch or two higher when she performed her version of “Fever”. By then it was clear the theme of the night would be love.

Lola Shoneyin sat on her own hot seat to read from her debut novel. Her reading flowed and ebbed, carrying her audience into the world of Bolanle, who having graduated from the university, decided to marry an illiterate polygamist and contend with his antagonistic wives. Then she read an excerpt capturing the drama that living in Baba Segi’s house provides on a daily basis – something to do with a rat head. But she saved the best for the last when she read from the perspective of Iya Femi, one of the illiterate wives.

The audience reeled with laughter at Iya Femi’s antics, empathised with Bolanle and marvelled at the drama playing out in Baba Segi’s house.

In between the readings, Lola took turns to answer questions from the audience. Some of them, who had read the book beforehand, wanted to know why she did certain things the way she did them regarding the book. Lola was cagey answering some of the questions because she didn’t want to ruin the fun for those who had not read the book yet. But there was no denying that the audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

There was also the anniversary cake to go round, this being the first anniversary edition of Infusion – it also coincided with Lola’s birthday some two days later. The event concluded with the usual raffle draw.

The next edition of Infusion would be coming up next month.