In a country rich with untold stories, Tobi Shoyebo is carving a pathway for young Nigerians to develop world-class storytelling skills.
“Tobi Shoyebo “ essay competition has evolved into an incubator for aspiring scriptwriters, many dreaming of writing for the BBC and other global media giants.
The maiden event recorded had 20 students emerging winners on Friday, November 14, at the grand-finale held in Lagos, which qualifies them for mentorship and N10,000 and N5,000 prize money for essay and poem respectively.
Tobi Shoyebo, the convener of the essay and storytelling competition emphasised that the event is a chance to plant seeds of courage, creativity, and love in the next generation of Nigerian leaders.
“The entire point of the storytelling competition is to show that as long as you can create something and are courageous enough to chase that dream, you can make it happen,” he said.
Tobi, who is a graduated from Biochemistry at the University of Lagos, had his life trajectory for of challenges and triumphs; starting as a pharmaceutical sales representative, where he was moving from town to town with sample kits and a script to follow.
Writing, he says, was always part of him, but it needed freedom to breathe. That freedom came when he traveled to Wales, pursuing a Master’s in Film Production at the University of South Wales.
There, he began writing scripts, freelancing for the BBC and other media outlets, publishing short stories and magazine pieces, and contributing to blogs.
This experience he brought back home to help nurture youngsters in storytelling and script writing.
The maiden storytelling and essay competition themed, “Learning Curve,” was designed to reflect not only the students’ writing but their mindset.
“We didn’t want to just tell them what we wanted. The story conception is about their story. That’s where the learning curve comes in,” he said.
The winners are Ada Ossy, a JSS 2; Falaye Rachael, SSS 2; Nnam Chioma, JSS3; Adaramola Oyindamola, SSS2; Toki Grace, JSS2; Adama Daniella, SSS2; Ayowole Elizabeth, Ogunmolw Daniel, SSS2; and Kaeem Desayo, all from Royalty International School.
Others are Agoha Michelle, SSS1; Shotinrin David, SSS3; Victory Sanni, SSS2; Popoola Omowunmi, SSS2; Bojowa Emmanuel, SSS3; Elijah David, JSS2; Wasiu Imoleayo, JSS3; Lawal Okunola, SSS3; Peace Oduwale, JSS2; Bojowa Elisha, SSS1; and Oyewo Greatman, SSS3, from Great Elshadda School.
The convener emphasised the need for youngsters to have dreams, but reiterated that having the courage to carry on through challenges is very important.
Students were encouraged to quote works such as “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson and Muhammad Ali’s “Last Night, I Had A Dream”.
Tobi reflected on one of the poems which he said mirrors resilience, and spark creativity. “‘Last Night, I Had A Dream’ was a daring poem.
“It was about facing an oppressive system and a strong opponent. If you listen carefully, the poet talks about defeating impossible odds. Poetry shows you the state of things and inspires action,” he noted.
Agoha Michelle, one of beneficiaries, applauded the initiative, describing the competition as an avenue to discover oneself as a student.
“It is a very good competition, and unfortunately, we don’t have much of such a contest that encourages youngsters to write.
“I’m grateful to Tobi, the convener, for giving us such a platform to express our creative ideas through writing; and this has inculcated the spirit of seriousness and determination in me,” she said.
How Shoyebo grooms Nigeria’s future BBC script writers via essay competition
By Charles Ogwo
In a country rich with untold stories, Tobi Shoyebo is carving a pathway for young Nigerians to develop world-class storytelling skills.
“Tobi Shoyebo “ essay competition has evolved into an incubator for aspiring scriptwriters, many dreaming of writing for the BBC and other global media giants.
The maiden event recorded had 20 students emerging winners on Friday, November 14, at the grand-finale held in Lagos, which qualifies them for mentorship and N10,000 and N5,000 prize money for essay and poem respectively.
Tobi Shoyebo, the convener of the essay and storytelling competition emphasised that the event is a chance to plant seeds of courage, creativity, and love in the next generation of Nigerian leaders.
“The entire point of the storytelling competition is to show that as long as you can create something and are courageous enough to chase that dream, you can make it happen,” he said.
Tobi, who is a graduate from the English Department at the University of Lagos, had his life trajectory of challenges and triumphs; starting as a pharmaceutical sales representative, where he was moving from town to town with sample kits and a script to follow.
Writing, he says, was always part of him, but it needed freedom to breathe. That freedom came when he traveled to Wales, pursuing a Master’s in Film Production at the University of South Wales.
There, he began writing scripts, freelancing for the BBC and other media outlets, publishing short stories and magazine pieces, and contributing to blogs.
This experience he brought back home to help nurture youngsters in storytelling and script writing.
The maiden storytelling and essay competition themed, “Learning Curve,” was designed to reflect not only the students’ writing but their mindset.
“We didn’t want to just tell them what we wanted. The story conception is about their story. That’s where the learning curve comes in,” he said.
The winners are Ada Ossy, a JSS 2; Falaye Rachael, SSS 2; Nnam Chioma, JSS3; Adaramola Oyindamola, SSS2; Toki Grace, JSS2; Adama Daniella, SSS2; Ayowole Elizabeth, Ogunmolw Daniel, SSS2; and Kaeem Desayo, all from Royalty International School.
Others are Agoha Michelle, SSS1; Shotinrin David, SSS3; Victory Sanni, SSS2; Popoola Omowunmi, SSS2; Bojowa Emmanuel, SSS3; Elijah David, JSS2; Wasiu Imoleayo, JSS3; Lawal Okunola, SSS3; Peace Oduwale, JSS2; Bojowa Elisha, SSS1; and Oyewo Greatman, SSS3, from Great Elshadda School.
The convener emphasised the need for youngsters to have dreams, but reiterated that having the courage to carry on through challenges is very important.
Students were encouraged to quote works such as “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson and Muhammad Ali’s “Last Night, I Had A Dream”.
Tobi reflected on one of the poems which he said mirrors resilience, and spark creativity. “‘Last Night, I Had A Dream’ was a daring poem.
“It was about facing an oppressive system and a strong opponent. If you listen carefully, the poet talks about defeating impossible odds. Poetry shows you the state of things and inspires action,” he noted.
Agoha Michelle, one of the beneficiaries, applauded the initiative, describing the competition as an avenue to discover oneself as a student.
“It is a very good competition, and unfortunately, we don’t have much of such a contest that encourages youngsters to write.
“I’m grateful to Tobi, the convener, for giving us such a platform to express our creative ideas through writing; and this has inculcated the spirit of seriousness and determination in me,” she said.
