Toks To Kick Off A Mentorship Initiative For Young Writers

Tochukwu Young Umezulike, popularly known as Toks Asher Young, has shared his intentions to begin a yearly internship and mentoring program for young writers and poets.

Toks said this has become necessary to ensure that the culture of writing and penmanship will endure in Nigeria.

He said a lot of creatives and amateur writers in Nigeria have been overlooked for so long and with this initiative he hope to revive the fire of writing in the younger generation.

Toks said starting September 2021, he will begin a yearly unpaid internship and mentoring program.

He said this is aimed at helping young men/women who are passionate about writing to kick start their career.

“Human investment is always better than material investment. You could buy 20 cars, but can only drive one at a time. But when you mentor 20 people, they will in turn invest in 20 or more others or become employers of labour in future thereby paying it forward, that way the circle goes 360 degrees,” he said.

Toks said the program was initially slated to start in 2020 as a book club, but due to the coronavirus pandemic it was postponed.

He said, “with the rising hospitalizations and deaths caused by covid 19 it wouldn’t have been wise to start the program as planned”.

He also pointed out that mentorship programs work better in person as opposed to remotely or virtually.

Tochukwu Toks Young Umezulike is a Nigerian writer, Talent manager, Entrepreneur and entertainment veteran.

A youth empowerment advocate and Ecowas Youth Ambassador, he is also the author of the book DEUCES: An Anthology of WORDS, RHYMES & POEMS.