A former presidential candidate on the platform of the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi; and MD/CEO of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, Ayodeji Joseph, were among the guests who attended the launch of two books authored by a lifestyle journalist and editor, Onaolatomirin Falade.
Tagged, the Tomi Falade Book Party, witnessed the launch of the two books— Dates From Hell, and OLOBUN: Matriarch Of Ondo, Mother Of Legacy.
According to Falade, who is the Life Editor of Independent Newspapers, presenting the two books at the same time was coincidental. She said, “The original plan was to launch Dates From Hell in 2023, but prevailing circumstances at the time made me move it to 2024. But, since the two books were ready, I then decided to launch both at the same time. That was why I called the event, ‘a book party’.
“Many people don’t realise that literature can be fun. The event was to show that people can genuinely have fun with literature.”
Speaking on content of the books, Falade said, “The two books are very different.
“Olobun is a drama set in 15th-century Oyo empire, and explores themes of adventure, exile, and the birth of the lasting legacy of the Ondo Kingdom. I started writing it over a decade ago and the plan was to adapt it to a stage play.
“On the other hand, Dates from Hell, is a collection of short stories based on true events of people on romantic dates. Each of the stories are as funny as they are unique.”
The event, which was anchored by a popular comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, also featured dance performances, as well as a drama scene from Olobun, a skit based on one of the dates written about in the book, and a panel session.
