The 2026 Cross-Country Poetry Celebration (CCPC) was held at the USC (Cathedral) Hall, Abẹokuta with distinguished personalities, poetry enthusiasts, and young poets gathering to celebrate the power of words under the theme, “Moments: Capturing Times with Words.”
Organised annually by the Cross-Country Poetry Initiative (CCPI), the celebration featured a keynote address by Professor Akachi Ezeigbo who spoke on the enduring power of words to preserve thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Addressing the national celebration involving locations within and outside Nigeria, she declared: “Words are sacred, words are immortal. Words have power to capture thoughts, emotion, and time.”
A veteran educationist, Mrs Blessing Ọrẹnẹyẹ, kick-started the celebration by ushering in the host to give his welcome address.
In his welcome address, the host in Abẹokuta, Babatunde Sanyaolu, challenged the notion that poetry belongs exclusively to the Arts and Humanities. He emphasised that poetry transcends academic disciplines and professional boundaries, noting that virtually every field of human endeavour from science, medicine, and engineering to agriculture, technology, politics, and education offers inspiration for poetic expression.
The event also featured a goodwill message from Alhaja Sẹkinat Ọmọlọla Ogunwolu, a former Principal General (Permanent Secretary) in Ogun State. The message was delivered by Mrs Ọlabisi Agbẹdẹjọbi, a versatile Vice Principal.
A major highlight of the celebration was the recognition of Prince Yinka Saliu Kareem, popularly known in theatre circles as YS, as the Honoree Poet for 2026. He received a Certificate of Honour in recognition of the distinction.
In a further demonstration of the initiative’s commitment to nurturing emerging literary talents, gifts were presented to young poets. Among them were Anjọla Ọṣọla, Bisoye Akinbọde, Mabel Odularu, Ṣemiloore Agbẹdẹjọbi, Ogooluwa Okuboye, Desire Ayinde, Toyọsi Akorede, Abraham Ọrẹnẹyẹ, and Ṣekẹmi Ọmọlana.
The programme was anchored by Ṣọla Adenẹkan, the co-host, while the closing remarks were delivered by Revd Kayọde Ọbadimu, a frontline Principal.
The Abẹokuta celebration reaffirmed the CCPC’s mission of promoting poetry as a universal form of expression that transcends disciplines, connects generations, and captures the defining moments of human experience.
b The Cross-Country Poetry Celebration is organised by the Cross-Country Poetry Initiative, whose President is Mohammed Awal Idris-Evuti. Uthman Adegbitẹ serves as Secretary, while Eriata Oribhabor chairs the Board of Trustees.
