Kudo Eresia-Eke Hails Seaview Poetry Club At 20

Legendary poet, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke, has commended SEAVIEW POETRY CLUB, Port Harcourt for keeping the fire of poetry burning in the state.
He made the commendation during the 20th Anniversary of the club on air, which he attended as a special guest.
Dr Eresia-Eke, who was addressed as a living ancestor, expressed surprise over the growth of the club and its achievements over the years. He noted that he was overwhelmed with joy to be part of the celebration of poetry in a society where the drive for quick wealth has forced many people to abandon literary works.
He pointed out that the society has been infested by political, religious and financial YAHOO BOYS, who amass wealth fraudulently, thereby contributing to moral decadence in the society. He stated that the future of poetry in the society was bright given, the activities of the club.
In his remarks, the President of the Seaview Poetry club, Dr Orike Ben Didi, thanked the ‘living ancestor’ for honouring the occasion with his presence. He stated that he was among the poets whose works inspired the younger ones to venture into poetry.
Didi also extended his appreciation to another literary guru, Prof Obari Gomba, an award winning poet, as well as to the Chairperson of Association of Nigerian Authors, Mrs Isukul for being part of the celebration.
In his presentation entitled, The Impact of Seaview Poetry Club in Port Harcourt: “Two Decades of Delivering Excellence, the Journey so far,” a former president of the club and chairman of the 20th anniversary planning committee, Chinweike David Okwu, pointed out that for over 20 years, Seaview Poetry Club has been lighting minds, stirring hearts, and building bridges in the society.
He stated that poetry has always been more than words. It is memory, it is dream, it is protest, it is prayer. “Through Poetry, we have addressed themes of identity, justice, environment, peace, and faith. We have spoken against violence, encouraged resilience, and inspired hope. In a world where the noise of conflict often drowns out reason, poetry has allowed us to speak with clarity, compassion, and conviction,” said Chinweike, also called Lyrical Pontiff.
Diving into memory lane, he recalled that the journey of Seaview began over 20 years ago and continues to flourish in the heart of Port Harcourt, revealing that it is a story of words that became movement, of verses that built bridges, and of a community that found its voice through the power of literature.
“Seaview Poetry Club was founded out of a simple yet profound desire to create a platform where creativity could breathe, where ideas could be exchanged, and where poets whether seasoned or emerging could find a home. What began as small gatherings of word lovers in Silverbird’s Rhythm 93.7fm has now grown into one of the most consistent literary platforms in Africa.”
Counting the impacts of the club on Port Harcourt’s cultural landscape, he said, “For over 20 years, our club has contributed richly to the cultural landscape of Rivers State. We have hosted open mics, book readings, anniversary celebrations, and collaborative performances with musicians, dramatists, and visual artists. We have worked with public and private sectors, multinational companies, international bodies etc.
“We have given Port Harcourt a space where the arts are not only consumed but created. Every Tuesday Morning, the most popular radio item in and outside the city is the Poetry Open Mic Session on Rhythm 93.7fm Port Harcourt.”
The high point of the event was the presentation of a book entitled: From the Eyes of Heaven, edited by Orike Didi, as well as the breaking of anniversary cake and a toast to excellence, consistency and continuity which was carried out by Prof Obari Gomba.
Presenting his review of the book, Humphrey Ogu, a founding secretary of the club disclosed that the book is an anthology of over 90 poems written by 18 poets, with each poet exploring various thematic concerns. This ranges from politics, corruption, environment, love, lust, losses to grief. These are subjects that border on human existence and experiences.
He noted that in most cases, political concerns in poetry stems from dissatisfaction with the status quo, which necessitates the quest for a change. He observed that in this anthology under review, Diesel Kwokwo’s “Hunger”, “My Speech” and “Leaders of Tomorrow”, Josiah Egblika’s “Polistitute”, Chinweike David Okwu’s “Foibles of Tyranny”, Hope Havard Erekosima’s “Barman” are some of the poems that address such political concerns.In this anthology Biokpo Joshua West tackles the issue of environmental degradation in “Leave the Isam Alone; They Don’t Want Change”.
Godson Osarenren also focuses on environment in “Smoky Clouds”, and “Cow Colony” while Sotonye Pepple appreciates the beauty of the Environment in Nsukka. Ekechi Stella Amadi’s “Thirsty Years Longing”, Diesel Kwokwo’s “True Love”, Chinweike David Okwu’s “Issue is the Issue”, and Emma Nonye Enyioha’s Prisoner of Love”, “Loneliness” and “Untamed Beauty” are some of the poems that touch on the delicate issue of love from different angles.
Chineye Gift Ede Ani expresses grief, in “Look Beyond”, while Sotonye Pepple does the same in “Papa” and “Silence” all of which express an aspect of love, bemoaning the loss of their loved ones. He recommended that “This book should be read by everyone who wants to reflect on human life. Read it for relaxation and reflection on realities of the time. Read it to enrich your mind”