Prince Yemisi Shyllon unveils love through the eyes of a village boy and 10 other books as PIN marks 10 years of poetic impact
When Prince (Dr.) Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, one of Nigeria’s leading art patrons, unveiled Love Through the Eyes of a Village Boy at the 10th anniversary of Poets in Nigeria (PIN), it brings to literary arts enthusiasts the understanding of how much poetry has grown in the country and how it also continues to tell personal stories, connect people, and inspire positive change.
The book, written by poet and creative Victor Adetimilehin Inioluwa (Vic’Adex), explores love and self-discovery through the eyes of a young man from a small town.
“The poems are a journaling of my emotions through a period of 11 years,” Vic’Adex said. “They reflect my feelings, heartbreaks, and the process of making sense of my emotions. Initially, it wasn’t meant to be a book, just a therapeutic way to express my heart.”
For him, the “village boy” is a metaphor for innocence and the gradual awakening to the complexities of love and life. “I grew up in a relatively small town, with naïve ideas about how the world works,” he explained. “Especially when you grow up watching high school movies where the nerd always gets the girl, but that doesn’t always happen in real life.
So, the book represents that naivety and vulnerability.
Meanwhile, the unveiling formed part of PIN @10, a landmark event celebrating a decade of poetry advocacy, creativity, and volunteerism. Founded in 2015 by poet and literary curator Eriata Oribhabor, PIN has grown from a small network of enthusiasts into a nationwide movement connecting poets across generations and regions.
“PIN @10 is a celebration of words, volunteering, and creativity,” Oribhabor said. “It shows that with poetry, everything is creatively possible and society is better off.”
At the anniversary, several new anthologies curated by PIN moderators were also unveiled. According to Oribhabor, the gesture was a way of showcasing the organization’s literary output and honoring volunteers like Vic’Adex who have nurtured communities across Nigeria.
“Although we couldn’t present all the books, it was still an overwhelming success. I look forward to the day when all our books will be specially exhibited to celebrate those who have sacrificed their time, talent, and resources for PIN.”
Prince Shyllon, who serves as the Grand Patron of PIN, has been a consistent supporter of the initiative’s mission. He sponsored Nigeria’s maiden National Poetry Slam in 2024, hosted poets, especially PIN members at his Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), and opened the doors of the Yemisi Shyllon Art Museum located at Pan-Atlantic University to them.
“Prince Shyllon is a promise keeper,” Oribhabor emphasized. “He not only supports with ideas and resources but also reminds you of promises he has made. His association with PIN has been a blessing.”
For Vic’Adex, being honored alongside other poets under Shyllon’s patronage was deeply humbling.
“To be recognized among such distinguished people is a privilege of a lifetime,” he said. “PIN has shaped my journey as a poet — teaching me poetry as service, and helping me grow creatively and personally.”
Reflecting on his next projects, Vic’Adex hinted that his upcoming collections, Musings of the Mundane, will focus on his evolving philosophy and societal observations. “While Love Through the Eyes of a Village Boy was therapeutic, my next works will explore deeper reflections on life, values, and the human condition,” he said.
He believes poetry remains a powerful tool for empathy and understanding.
“Poetry helps us feel emotions we might not otherwise have felt,” he noted. “It forces us to step into other people’s shoes. That’s how literature can nurture empathy among young Nigerians.”
As PIN looks to the next decade, Oribhabor says the movement aims to expand its national poetry slam, strengthen collaborations, and invest more in children’s poetry education through the House of Phoebe Initiative.
“We hope to catch them young,” he said with a smile.
