A vibrant collection of poems that captures the heart, humor, and humanity of Nigeria.

In From the Hearthland, Orode Ajuwaghan invites readers on a poetic journey through the rich tapestry of Nigerian life. Blending wit, warmth, and deep reflection, these 14 poems explore the rhythms of a nation and the emotions of its people.

From the bustling markets and noisy streets to quiet moments of personal thought, each poem offers a snapshot of what it means to live, love, laugh, and hope as a Nigerian. Some poems will make you smile at familiar quirks; others will gently nudge you to reflect on life’s deeper questions. Together, they paint a picture of a country that is as complex as it is beautiful.

Whether you are Nigerian or simply curious about the culture and spirit of this vibrant nation, From the Hearthland delivers stories that feel both personal and universal.

Inside this book you will find:
– Poems about Nigerian culture, community, and everyday life
– Humorous verses that celebrate our unique ways of living and loving
– Reflective poems on personal growth, resilience, and belonging
– A celebration of the beauty, struggles, and strength of Nigeria and its people

Perfect for lovers of poetry, African literature, and anyone seeking to connect with the soul of Nigeria, this collection is a heartfelt tribute to the hearthland we call home.

Open the pages and step into a Nigeria that laughs, reflects, and lives boldly.

Lessons from ten years of supporting transitions from education to entrepreneurship in Africa.

About the Book:
Over the past ten years, in partnership with ALA and Mastercard Foundation, we have sought to build an ecosystem that drives entrepreneurship and economic growth through young people. In this pursuit, we’ve completed an exciting piece of work that reflects on the lessons we have learned from supporting 142 very young entrepreneurs building businesses across Africa since 2010. These businesses have created over 2,500 jobs - with 60% of these going to peers under 25 years old.

Who is this book for?
If you are a school, university, accelerator, individual, or youth organisation that is invested in reducing youth unemployment on the African continent, this report is for you!

What's inside?
Reading Unlocking Africa's Hidden Job Creators will offer you practical lessons from ten years of supporting young Africans transition from education to entrepreneurship. The report:

1. Outlines 11 key lessons learned from the Anzisha Prize that will inform how early-career entrepreneurs can be supported.
2. Addresses the importance of various stakeholders – educators, parents, investors, policymakers, incubators within the youth entrepreneurship ecosystem.
3. Offers a guide on how a coordinated movement of key influencers can change the trajectory of entrepreneurship on the continent for young people and see the creation of 1M dignified work opportunities by 2030.

About the Authors
The Anzisha Prize team produced this report with key inputs from African Leadership Academy leaders and educators.

NOTHING SPOIL tells the story of Stella, a young Nigerian woman whose life starts to crumble after she sheltered a stranded man, Jide, for a night. This ruins her relationship with her boyfriend, Dan and sets off a traumatic chain of events – she tests positive for HIV and struggles as a single mother.

She reunites with Dan, the embers of their love doused by Dan’s engagement and imminent wedding. When Dan is kidnapped a week to his wedding, Stella’s efforts to get him released lands her in captivity and they learn, too late, that their captors were part of an international organ-trafficking syndicate. Faced with death in an unknown location and surrounded by armed angry youths, every single breath becomes a battle for survival.

About the Author:
Kelvin Alaneme is a Nigerian writer, medical doctor and entrepreneur. He is featured on several platforms including The Guardian, BBC, Brittlepaper and Business Insider Africa. He divides his time between London and the United States.

Alaneme is the winner of the 2020 Voices of Tomorrow Competition organised by the University of Cambridge and a recipient of the 2021 Magnusson Award from Glasgow Caledonian University. NOTHING SPOIL is his first novel.

Very often, parents are the first investors in their children’s ventures. They are their educators and coaches at home, their most ardent evangelists once they buy in, and most importantly, they celebrate and take pride in their children’s success, arguably more than anyone else. So, who better to be the voices of this book than the parents themselves?

What’s Inside
Chronicling the experiences of five African families, this book:
- Shares firsthand accounts of navigating the entrepreneurship space as families.
- Offers advice to parents from parents of very young entrepreneurs.
- Underscores the relationship between family support and entrepreneur success.

Who’s the book for?
Parents who are curious about early age entrepreneurial journeys

About the Authors
Josh Adler is the Executive Director of the Anzisha Prize and also a self-proclaimed social impact explorer.