Reworking Writing As A Micro-Enterprise Project To Empower Writers

Entrepreneurial skills acquisition for writers is the target of a two phase workshop program organized by OneLife Initiative for Human Development, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The workshop program dubbedWriting As An Enterprise (W.A.E) is a component of the organization’s Micro-enterprise project: Formula 23.9, which speaks to the problem of unemployment in Nigeria. 23.9% is the last known figure of national unemployment in the country.

The W.A.E workshop is an effort from OneLife Initiative to address capacity development such as in business development and social entrepreneurship. Intended beneficiaries of W.A.E are young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years who are intending or engaged writers. Sessions on the workshop program will equally be facilitated by thriving writers who already engage the craft along business and enterprise areas. Expected information to be introduced during the workshops includes growing opportunities for written content in digital space. The social arena, that is, the continued need for people to read will also be discussed.

The first phase of the workshops will come up on Friday 8th August, 2014 between 9am and 2pm. The sequel is slated for a yet to be decided date. The venue for the first phase is the American Corner, a United States of America cultural outfit, hosted within the premises of the Nigerian Society for Information, Arts & Culture, Jericho, Ibadan. Expected participants at the W.A.E workshops include young writing enthusiasts, students from tertiary institutions, campus press and literary groups and membership of youth writing clubs from various vocations.

It is expected that the workshops will throw up relevant ideas and solutions that can address national issues such as growing youth unemployment in Nigeria. Furthermore, strategic links are expected to be forged during the W.A.E. program. Such links are to include networks between participants, facilitators and partnering organizations involved in the workshops. Writing As An Enterprise (W.A.E) models and lessons will also be showcased during and after the workshops to various publicity and think-tank channels.

Prospective participants at the workshop are expected to send a text message indicating interest in attending to 08023299863. The text should also carry applicant’s full name, email address and phone number. The deadline for application is 10am, Thursday 7th August, 2014.