Students at this year’s recently held Green Festival, the children section of the Lagos Books and Arts Festival (LABAF) 2021, were treated to different proposition as they were introduced to the ongoing Bishop Ajayi Crowther documentary project by the visioner, Nigerian award – winning travel journalist, Pelu Awofeso. A number of the students who were familiar with Bishop Corwther’s story were engaged by Awofeso reading from ‘First Steps in History for Junior Learners’ written by Adeoye Adetunji and published in 1982 by Ayelabowo Book Centre. It profiles 91 historical personalities from Uthman dan Fodio, Nnamdi Azikiwe to Moremi and Emotan. Awofeso, who, himself read the book in his primary school days, said of the event: ‘‘I recall reading the booklet as a pupil in a public primary school in the 1980s. So it was nostalgic holding the book and teaching with it. It was here that I first read about the likes of Mary Slessor, Kings Akintoye and Dosumu, Mungo Park, Lander Brothers, Vasco Da Gama and King Jaja of Opobo before I turned 10. ‘‘In 19 short sentences, the book-let summarises the Crowther’s life from his capture in Osoogun to his death and burial in Lagos, in 1891.’’

The students, according to him, performed excellently during the book reading section: ‘‘To test the children’s grasp of the text, I asked what kind of man they thought Crowther was. “He was a legend,” one said. “He was a leader,” said another.

“He was a hero,” came another response. On and on and on they responded, with answers that were on point. ‘‘Before I ended the session, I made a promise to the children. I believe that by the time we come for Green Festival next year, the documentary will be ready and we can all watch it together. ‘‘It was a promise to myself, more or less.

‘‘This was my first interaction with school-age groups since the project launched last September. We are already discussing the possibility of a school’s tour in 2022, in-between our filming schedules.’’ On the progress of the project, Awofeso noted that the development is a welcomed one while expressing gratitude to all that have supported in various ways. ‘‘Thanks to everyone who has supported the project so far. If you’re wondering in what other ways to support, please note that money is not all that we need: we need material support too: a vehicle (short-term), laptops, lodging (in the towns and cities we’ll be visiting), cameras (and accessories), fuel, food, airtime, data, workspace, name it.’’