Covenant University has hosted its first World English Day, bringing together students, teachers, and individuals who share a passion for reading and writing. The Department of Languages organised the event, which took place on April 30, 2025, at the university’s Leadership and Social Sciences Hall.
The Head of the Department, Dr Lilly Chimuanya, welcomed everyone. She spoke about how English helps people in various careers, such as science, law, and medicine, to work together and share ideas. She told students in science and engineering that they can also be creative and write stories. She said many great writers began their careers in technical fields.
Dr Jonathan Odukoya, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, praised the event. He told students not to give up if their writing gets rejected, but to keep learning and trying. A special guest, Ms. Modupe Daramola, founder of the Noisy Streets group, which supports young African writers, spoke at the event. She told the students to be proud of their African stories and share them with confidence.
Another speaker, Mr. Nnamdi Ohirim, who graduated from Covenant University, shared his experience of transitioning from studying engineering to writing. He said he wrote his first novel only 18 months after finishing school and told students to follow their dreams. Zaynab, a civil servant, also shared her story. She said she discovered her love for writing during the COVID-19 lockdown and has been writing ever since.
