Isabella Akinseye

Funsho Arogundade

Africana Literati, a new arts and culture TV show, which promotes African literature, is set to premiere Saturday on Africa Magic Family.

The show will be hosted by Isabella Akinseye, essayist, writer and On Air Personality.

Speaking on the show, Akinseye, who is also the brain behind the project, said Africana Literati TV show is “aimed at reviving the reading culture with a focus on celebrating our own stories and culture.”

The 13-episodes series, with each episode running for half an hour, includes profiles of African literary greats, top 5 countdowns, African proverbs and giveaways to nurture budding writing talent.

Akinseye, who started her TV career reviewing books on a weekly segment ‘Bookaholic with Bella’ on Silverbird television in 2009, gave up her corporate communications job at Nestle Nigeria PLC to focus on her company, Yellow Tamarind Productions.

Akinseye, a graduate of Education with English and Drama from the University of Cambridge, ran the popular Bookaholic Blog with essayist and writer, Temitayo Olofinlua, while the pair worked at leading publishing firm, Kachifo Limited.

Akinseye said, “We have very few art shows out there. Abroad, arts and culture are a big deal, but here in Nigeria, it is politics, music, sports, reality and fashion. Africana Literati is making reading and learning cool.

“On each episode, culture critic, Dr. Wilfred Okiche reviews a book by an African author and budding OAP, Harri Obi handles the vox pop segment. I go back to my education roots on the ‘Back to School’ segment which focuses on spelling, pronunciation and African slang.”

The show will air every Saturday at 11 am on Africa Magic Family Dstv channel 154.