If you reside in the UK (london to be precise), this is a must attend event for you. Whether you live far or near, endeavor to attend this event if you can. You all know that I blog about this man a lot... I mean Pastor Dayo Israel. I cannot help but give accolade for the many lives he has impacted.

The event will be held on the 30th of May, 2008: Methodist Central Hall, Westminster London SW1H9NH. Event theme: "London Youth on the Frontline" . It is a youth conference and the aim is to bring together all young gospel artiste, youth leaders, youth ministers from churches, ministries, and youth organisations all over london.

To partake or gather more info about this event, please visit Dayo Israel's Website and or e-mail conference@dayoisrael.com

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I forgot to tell yall about my weekend experience. I attended a book signing fair at Wayne County Community College. I was privileged to meet Chris Abani - a Nigerian novelist and poet.

Not only was I marveled at his accomplishment, I was delighted at his usage of words.. I love poetry and to see a fellow Nigerian loving it and making the best of it is simply awesome. Chris Abani's prose includes Song For Night (Akashic, 2007), The Virgin of Flames (Penguin, 2007), Becoming Abigail (Akashic, 2006), GraceLand (FSG, 2004), and Masters of the Board (Delta, 1985). His poetry collections are Hands Washing Water (Copper Canyon, 2006), Dog Woman (Red Hen, 2004), Daphne's Lot (Red Hen, 2003), and Kalakuta Republic (Saqi, 2001). He is a Professor at the University of California, Riverside and the recipient of the PEN USA Freedom-to-Write Award, the Prince Claus Award, a Lannan Literary Fellowship, a California Book Award, a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award & the PEN Hemingway Book Prize.

Below are the awards Chris Abani has received...

AWARDS/GRANTS/HONORS

2008 - Nominated for Lamada Award (the Virgin of Flames)

2008 - Recipient, Distinguished Humanist Award (UC, Riverside)

2007 - Pushcart Nomination for Sanctificum. (poetry)

2007 - New York Times Editor's Choice (Song for Night)

2007 - Finalist, PEN Beyond the Margins Award (Becoming Abigail)

2007 - A Barnes and Noble Discovery Selection (The Virgin of Flames)

2007 - A New York Times Editor's Choice (The Virgin of Flames)

2007 - A New York Libraries Books For Teens Selection (Becoming Abigail)

2006 - A New York Times Editor's Choice (Becoming Abigail)

2006 - A Chicago Reader Critic's Choice (Becoming Abigail)

2006 - A selection of the Essence Magazine Book Club (Becoming Abigail)

2006 - A selection of the Black Expressions Book Club (Becoming Abigail)

2006 - Pushcart Nomination (poetry) for "A Way To Turn This To Light."

2006 - Finalist for IMPAC Dublin Prize (GraceLand)

2005 - Winner, PEN Hemingway Book Prize. (GraceLand)

2005 - Winner Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for Debut Fiction (GraceLand)

2005 - Silver Medal, California Book Award for Fiction. (GraceLand)

2005 - Finalist, Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction. (GraceLand)

2005 - Finalist, Commonwealth Writers Prize, Best Books (Africa Region). (GraceLand)

2005 - Pushcart Nomination for "Blooding." StoryQuarterly.

2004 - Barnes and Noble Discover New Writers. (GraceLand)

2004 - New York Times Editor's Choice (GraceLand)

2004 - Nominated for The Kingsley Tufts Prize for Poetry (Dog Woman)

2004 - Nominated for The Griffin Prize in Poetry (Dog Woman)

2003 - Lannan Foundation Literary Fellowship, USA.

2003 - Hellman/Hammet Grant from Human Rights Watch, USA.

2002 - Imbonge Yesizwe Poetry International Award, South Africa.

2001 - PEN USA West Freedom - to - Write Award, USA.

2001 - Prince Claus Award for Literature & Culture, The Netherlands.

2001 - Middleton Fellowship, University of Southern California, USA.

1983 - Delta Fiction Award, Nigeria. (Masters of the Board).

For more info on Chris Abani, view his Website

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