By Wole Adedoyin
The presentation of two new books by Distinguished Senator Shehu Sani, CON—The Councillor and the Perilous Path to Europe and The Sahara Odyssey—has been scheduled to hold as a major literary and intellectual engagement that interrogates migration, governance, and the human condition. The programme also features a stage production of the play The Village and the Vigilante, reinforcing the enduring relevance of theatre as a medium for social commentary and civic reflection.
The central theme of the event, “The Socio-economic Implications of Unbridled and Irregular Migration,” situates the books and the theatrical performance within contemporary debates on youth dislocation, poverty, insecurity, and the perilous journeys undertaken in search of better opportunities. Through literature and performance, the programme seeks to illuminate the human costs of irregular migration while stimulating policy-relevant conversations.
A robust panel discussion will form a core part of the programme, featuring Dr. Kabura Zakama, Dr. Lois Adams, and Owi Ocho Afrika as panelists. The session will be moderated by Esther Adelana, whose facilitation is expected to guide a balanced and engaging exchange of ideas, drawing from academic, cultural, and advocacy perspectives on migration and development.
The event will further be enriched by a keynote address to be delivered by Prof. Emeka Aniagolu, a distinguished scholar whose intervention is anticipated to provide intellectual depth and contextual grounding to the discourse. His address will underscore the intersections between creative expression, social policy, and sustainable development.
Scheduled to hold on Thursday, 15th January, 2026, by 10:00am prompt, the programme will take place at Km 2, Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja. The choice of venue reflects the literary spirit of the event and its commitment to nurturing dialogue within a culturally significant space.
The literary outing is curated by Denja Abdullahi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Orpheus Literary Foundation, an organisation noted for its sustained efforts in promoting literature, theatre, and critical thought in Nigeria and beyond. Attendance confirmations and further inquiries can be made via 08186116259 or 08057868575.
Senator Shehu Sani is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most prolific writer-activists, with an extensive body of work spanning books, plays, and poetry. His published books include Killing Fields (2007), Poverty in Northern Nigeria, Political Assassination in Nigeria (2007), Scorpion under Pillow (2007), Civilian Dictators of Africa (2008), Always Wrong, Can Yar’Adua Get It Right (2009), Betrayal and Society (2009), The Children of Kaduna (2011), The Children of Jos (2011), Protest and Freedom (2012), Rebellious Ideas (2013), Nigeria and Ethiopia: An Analysis of Historical Ties (2013), and Hatred for Black People (2013).
His creative repertoire also includes notable plays such as Phantom Crescent (2009) and Thugs at the Helm, as well as poetry collections like Prison Anthology (2007) and The Poem of Peace in the Season of Bloodshed. Across genres, his works consistently engage themes of justice, oppression, resistance, and human dignity.
Born on October 29, 1967, in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, Shehu Sani is a former Nigerian senator, author, playwright, and human rights activist. He serves as President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN) and Chairman of Hand-in-Hand Africa, roles that reflect his lifelong commitment to civil liberties and social justice.
A leading figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, Sani endured repeated arrests and imprisonment under successive military regimes and was released from life imprisonment following the restoration of democracy in 1999. He later contested and won the Kaduna Central Senatorial District seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress on March 28, 2015.
Beyond politics and literature, Sani has rendered extensive public service at national and international levels. Under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he served on numerous committees, including the African Union African Peer Review Mechanism, the United Nations Reform Committee, the Presidential Committees on Prison Reforms, National Security and Civic Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Petroleum Products Prices, and the Control of Violent Crimes and Illegal Weapons, among others, as well as on the Board of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
