A cosy, love-themed literary gathering titled Love at First Page took place on Saturday, February 21, at Café One in Ibadan, Nigeria. The event, hosted by Karatu Books in partnership with Pages Media Group, Noirledge Publishing, and Eleventh House Publishing, brought together book lovers, writers, poets, spoken word artists, and creatives for an evening of poetry, conversation, and shared stories.
The free community hangout was organised as an intimate gathering where attendees could share their love for books, listen to others, and enjoy creative expressions without pressure.
The event began around 3 PM, and Oyindamola Japheth welcomed attendees as they arrived, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere from the start. Kayode Sanni of Noirledge Publishing anchored the evening, and the programme featured poetry readings, spoken word performances, and open mic moments. Attendees were encouraged to participate in the open mic, and quite a few did. Among them was Servio Gbadamosi, who delivered recitations of two poems, Love Has No Safe Handle and We Refuse to Give Up on Love, which corresponded closely with the theme of the gathering.
A question-and-answer session with Tobiloba Afolayan, author of Odidere, turned out to be one of the notable moments. The conversation centred on her inspiration for writing, the main character in her story, and how she writes about traditional subjects despite being a Christian and gospel music artist.
“I love love,” Tobiloba stated when asked about her view on love and went on to share a few personal stories with the audience.
Attendees asked questions as well, and the session felt more like a friendly conversation.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Ayo Oyeku, founder of Eleventh House Publishing, who expressed gratitude to all who attended. Attendees took photos together before leaving. The positive reception and community spirit suggest the possibility of future editions, though no official announcement has been made. Those interested in updates may follow Karatu Books and Noirledge Publishing on social media.
The gathering showed the growing interest in local, community-driven literary events in Nigeria, where readers and creatives can come together in a relaxed environment. People are clearly eager for spaces where they can share their love for books and creativity without formality.
Laipo Magazine is the official publication of the Ibadan Book and Arts Festival, documenting literary events, book culture, and creative conversations across Nigeria.
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