The room was electric as the students listened to the charged words of famed author and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, Professor Dul Johnson talk about literary craft in general and his writing specifically. The 200 level students of FCE Pankshin, Plateau State drank in the wisdom of the learned professor who is also a filmmaker. To support the session was their lecturer and the host of the event, Dr. Peace Longdet, assisted by Kuretmenan Rinmak and Bizuum Yadok, lecturers in the school too.
The central book for discussion was Dul Johnson’s controversially titled collection of short stories, Why women won’t make it to heaven (SEVHAGE, 2018). It did not disappoint as the story in question, and the rest, formed heated good-natured conversation, just as was the case in the Benue Book and Arts Festival 2019.
Another class in the school had studied Prof Dul’s award-winning Across the Gulf (SEVHAGE, 2017) and selected stories in Shadows and Ashes (SEVHAGE, 2018).
Bizuum Yadok, who covered the event informally with pictures had this to say:
We had the rare honour of hosting Professor Dul Johnson to an extraordinary interaction as way of wrapping up Dr. Peace Longdet’s Creative Writing course with 200 level students of FCE Pankshin yesterday, 8th April, 2022. Earlier in the semester, Ayotunde Momodu was around as a guest lecturer and also to entertain questions about his new book, ‘Driftwood’. Abel Ochika was there with Ayo to provide technical support. Lol. Back to Prof. Dul, he came to talk about his most talked about book, ‘Why Women Won’t Make it to Heaven’. Yep, women won’t make it to heaven and you have to read that book to find out why
. Another class in the same school studied his ‘Across the Gulf’ as well as some of the short stories contained in his ‘Shadows and Ashes’. Summarily, the interaction was both entertaining and educating. Many thanks to Dr. Peace Longdet and Kuretmenan Rinmak for the effort. Me, I just just came in reap where I did not sow simply because my mentor, Prof. Dul Johnson was involved. And then Chalya Johnson Dul interrupted our class by calling to say wetin wetin. Lol. Actually she only took a few seconds from the session but we have yet to forgive her for that
In all, well done to two SEVHAGE stars, Dr. Peace Longdet (Enablers, 2022) and Prof Dul Johnson for always lifting the bar when it comes to the arts, academics and development in general. Cheers!
Su'eddie in Life n' Literature 