**Eleven Poets to Light Up Lagos for World Poetry Day** In commemoration of this year's edition of World Poetry Day, 11 poets from around the world will gather in Lagos to celebrate the power of words and the essence of freedom. The event, themed "Power & Order: Freedom & Illusion," will take place on Thursday, March 19, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts (formerly National Theatre) in Iganmu, Lagos. The gathering is a celebration of linguistic diversity and the universal language of poetry. It is an opportunity to highlight the importance of poetry in capturing the human experience, challenging injustice, and inspiring communities. The event is part of a global initiative by UNESCO, which proclaimed World Poetry Day in 1999 to promote poetic expression and support endangered languages. This year's edition is hosted by Providus Bank under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Providus Bank Poetry Cafe, in partnership with the Culture Advocates Caucus (CAC). The event is curated by Jahman Anikulapo and supervised by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a former UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Joining Prof. Soyinka on stage are four international poets: Yolanda Castano from Spain, Valter Hugo Mae from Angola/Portugal, Maryam Palizban from Iranian/German, and Mohsen Emadi from Iranian/Mexican. From Nigeria, the lineup includes Dike Chukwumerije from Abuja, Abdulazeez Sirajo Alli from Niger, Ayomide Fasedu from Lagos, Nwani Emmanuel Chidera from Port Harcourt, Paella Chukwuma-Eke from Abuja, Tobi Abiodun from Lagos, and Hafsat Abdullahi from Abuja. The event promises to be a memorable celebration of poetry, featuring poetry readings and spoken word performances. It is a unique opportunity for poetry lovers, corporate executives, members of the creative community, and the general public to come together and appreciate the power of words.