2011 ANA Convention: A Monumental Failure!
Literature

2011 ANA Convention: A Monumental Failure!


                                A cross-section of delegates at the convention

The haunting memories of this year?s International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, which took place in Abuja from Wednesday 30th November to Sunday 4th December, will linger on for a very long time. The event was so poorly organized that even the organizers could not help admitting it was a monumental failure. ?Surely, it was not good,? said Dr. Seyi Adigun, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, LOC ? a euphemistic way of reaffirming the view of Dr. Jerry Agada, the erstwhile president of the association, under whose leadership the event was organized. He had said in one of his remarks at the occasion: ?This is a serious failure.?

A serious failure indeed, for apart from the fact that most of the items on the programme of activities were not fully executed, some of those executed were done haphazardly, thereby subjecting members of the association who had come from the various chapters across the country to unnecessary confusion and hardship.

The delegates had come full of expectations because the General Secretary, Mr. Hyacinth Obunseh, had assured it was going to be a convention like no other. ?We have an extra day added to our usual four days, to make five,? he had said in an interview with this reporter a few days to the convention. ?We will have our usual cocktail on arrival, opening ceremony, convention drama, sight-seeing, plenary sessions, dinner/awards ceremony and then for a change, we are bringing a musical group from one of our branches to entertain members. And one or two other innovations.?

But it all ended on paper. From day one of the convention, things started sagging, by the second day the programme began to spin out of control and by the end of the event the whole thing had degenerated into what some delegates described as the biggest flop in the history of ANA convention. ?It was a flop, a total failure,? said Mr. Aseidu Sarpong, a member of Kaduna State branch of ANA and one of the judges of ANA literary prizes. ?Since I became ANA member in 1990, this is my first time of experiencing this kind of convention.?

As usual, the conference began with the registration of delegates. At Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre, Area 10, Garki, the arrival point, delegates were in a happy mood, welcoming colleagues as they registered. But the ecstasy was short-lived as some could not get the usual conference bags. ?They are finished, we will provide more later,? explained one of the registration officials. That promise was never fulfilled. Nor did Hyacinth?s promise of ?We will have our usual cocktail on arrival,? see the light of day. No cocktail, no festival of life that were scheduled to be held at the arrival venue; and it was getting dark. So after lingering on for a while without any official explanation on what to do, delegates thought it wise to go their assigned hotels.

Some were lodged in Reiz Continental Hotel, Central Business Area, others were lodged in far away hotels in suburban areas like Kuba and Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

The following day, delegates were somehow compensated for the initial disappointment with a befitting opening ceremony from 10.00 am at the Continental Hall of Reiz Continental Hotel. The hall was filled to capacity some delegates had to stand throughout the entire programme.

Highlights of the event included speeches by the Chairman of Abuja ANA, Dr. Seyi Adigun, ANA President, Dr. Jerry Agada, representative of Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chairman of the occasion, celebrity reading by Gabriel Okara, cutting of ANA at 30th anniversary cake by the LOC chairman and exco members, and presentation of the keynote address by Professor Tanure Ojaide.

The keynote address, which was on the theme of the convention; ?Home Coming: African Literature and Human Debvelopment?, highlighted vividly the roles of African literature in human development and the numerous problems faced by the African writer. A renowned poet, multiple award winner and professor of Literature, Ajaide held everyone spellbound as he eloquently discussed the subject-matter. Donnis Chikere of Katsina State chapter of ANA was particularly impressed by the presentation. ?In terms of interacting intellectually and sharing ideas, I think the convention was okay despite the shortcomings,? he observed. ?The keynote address by Tanure Ojaide was particularly interesting as it highlighted the problems of writers.?

Formal opening of book exhibition rounded off the opening ceremony. And thereafter, the programme nosedived again. All the other activities slated for the day did not hold and there was no explanation as to why they didn?t hold. No plenary session, no musical performance that was to be presented by the Anambra State branch of ANA, and no dance drama, ?One is Vortex?, which was scheduled to be performed by the TV College, Jos.

Delegates shuffled back to their hotels at the end of the day, feeling cheated. But while some grumbled, die-hard optimists looked forward to a better tomorrow. When the tomorrow came, however, they longed for yesterday! For, the whole day-three of the convention was wasted. The literary roundtable that was to take place from 10am at Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre was not even talked about. And the scheduled Read and Ride Tour to Gurara Falls slated for 2 pm only took place in the imagination, as delegates were merely directed to the desolate Millennium Park and left there like sheep without a shepherd.

Describing the situation, Mr. Chikere said, ?After the opening ceremony, I think the programme they gave us became obsolete because it became like they had a new programme that was not written. We were just following sheepishly, moving from venue to venue. We were in several venues doing things that were not planned. And the hosts in most cases were not there to take us through the programme.?

Binta Spkin of Kano State branch of ANA was also irritated by the experience. ?It was a bitter experience, the way we were left like refugees at the Millennium Park,? she fumed.

Those who could not take it any longer returned to their respective homes before the end of the convention. One of them was Dr. Adamu Kyuka Usman, a member of Kaduna State chapter of ANA. Though his novel was on the shortlist of ANA literary prize, he had to leave because, according to him, ?the event was not well organized in terms of accommodation of delegates to the convention and in terms of even the activities?.

However, the excitement that was lacking on the third day of the convention was made up by the heady activity of the fourth day, which was the election of new executive council of the national body of ANA. Everyone seemed to be so excited about the election that the Annual General Meeting, AGM, became a mere appendage of the day?s programme.

The AGM, which was originally scheduled to hold at Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre eventually took place at the Raw Material Research and Development Council, Maitama. As usual, minutes of last AGM was read, matters arising from the minutes were discussed; the General Secretary?s report and those of the Treasurer and Auditor were also read. Issues like the ANA land in Abuja, which has been a court case, were discussed. The need for ANA chapters to submit their reports a few days to convention were also highlighted. Then all other discussions centred more or less on election campaigns. During his opening remarks, the president expressed his displeasure over the way ?some faceless campaigners for membership of ANA EXCO? used text messages to insult him. He also took a long time explaining why the convention turned out the way it did, pointing finger at the LOC members. As a president, he said, he had done enough by loaning the LOC over N2 million to organize the event.

The LOC chairman equally took time to explain to the audience why they failed. It wasn?t his fault, he said. ?The convention was well conceptualized, we had a credible team, the situation was that we had to execute the convention under stringent circumstances. Under the circumstances, I think we tried our best to ensure that the convention took place properly.? He said the problem was caused by lack of funds. ?We were not able to get funds. In terms of cash, we got less than four hundred naira 48 hours to the convention. Niger State government promised us two million naira which they later said was one million. Till this moment they haven?t redeemed it. Professor Remi Raji promised us one million naira; all of these have not been redeemed. All we got were promises; it was on the basis of those promises that we accepted a loan from Dr. Agada. We succeeded in convincing him to part with the loan a day before the arrival of delegates? less than 24 hours to the arrival of delegates.? He added that Agada may likely not be paid back his loan because, ?even as I?m talking to you we?ve not been able to convert those promises to cash.?

Ahmed Maiwada, who was a member of the LOC believes that the failure in securing sponsorship was as a result of the LOC?s reliance and confidence in funds from the federal government and many of its agencies. In an interview with this reporter, he said, ?Several letters were signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Abuja chapter and sent to the presidency, CBN, the Senate President, a few ministries and government agencies. So much follow up was made, following the letters. But after raising much hope, the presidency was not forthcoming at all, and even cut off all communications with the Chairman. The CBN replied to indicate their apology due to lack of funds. There was no response from the other expected sources.?

Maiwada added that the matter was worsened by the fact that Agada himself was not forthcoming with his promise of using his contacts to assist in breaking the thick ice. ?And so, the convention date had to be moved forward by one month, hoping that the situation would change. It never did till the second date fixed for the event fell through.?

Mr. Odoh Diego Okenyodo was initially the chairmn of the LOC, but he later resigned. Explaining his resignation, he said, ?I resigned because ANA Abuja Chairman, Dr. Seyi Adigun, was bent on not running a transparent and accountable management of funds. He frustrated the account opening for the LOC and decided to print separate letterhead papers to send requests for funds without recourse to the LOC or me as LOC Chairman. I said I wouldn?t be a party to that and unfortunately, Dr. Jerry Agada couldn?t persuade Adigun to behave well.?

At last, the arguments were laid to rest to pave way for the other items on the agenda, which included electing the hosting chapter of the next convention, constituting the electoral committee and conducting the election. Akwa-Ibom State chapter won the hosting right in spite of the eloquent manner Odia Ofeimun, former president of ANA, and the Lagos ANA chapter chairman campaigned for the Lagos hosting.

This was followed by the nomination of electoral umpires. Dr. May Ifeoma Nwoye and Professor Olu Obafemi emerged members of the electoral committee, with Professor Sam Okala as the chairman. Thereafter, the EXCO was dissolved and the election held.

The electoral Tsunami was quite unprecedented as almost all the members of the executive lost their seats. The usual courtesy of allowing the incumbent EXCO members ?automatic? second term was completely jettisoned. Agada was knocked down with three votes. Professor Remi Raji got 114 votes while he got 111. For the post of Vice President, Denja Abdullahi beat Sunnie Ododo 113 - 100, while BM Dzukogi got 123 votes to defeat Hyacinth Obunseh and Jare Ajayi.

The post of Assistant Secretary went to Tanko Okoduwa while PRO North and PRO South went to Richard Ugbede Ali and Greg Mbajorgu, respectively. The new Finacial Secretary is Chinyere Iwuana Obi-Obasi and the Treasurer is Joy Esuku. Hyeladzira Balami and Ahmed Maiwada were elected unopposed, to the posts of Auditor and Legal Adviser, respectively. Ex-officios are; Binta Spikin, Ngozi Chuma Udeh, Sunday Afolayan and Hyacinth Obunseh.

In an interview with this reporter shortly after the election, Agada described the exercise as very interesting. ?The election was very good, very interesting. It has been keenly fought and won. And I?m happy that I went down fighting to the best of my ability,? he said.

He, however, observed that the election wasn?t quite free and fair. ?I saw my agent there; he was complaining. He said during the counting he saw that Professor Olu Obafemi picked two or three ballot papers at a time. So he was protesting that they should recount, but they refused. He protested to everybody; he sent text to Odia Ofeimun and to me, he met Professor Sam Okala, but he said no, he is not re-counting.? In his characteristic manner, he added, ?But no problem, I?m not complaining,? and pledged to work with the new EXCO for the success of the association. ?You know, like I said in my speech at the AGM, ANA is something that I have passion for, ANA is in my blood. It is even now that I will work harder for ANA, if they come to me for anything.?

He also advised the EXCO to shun acrimony, which according to him, was displayed in the course of campaigning, and be receptive to ideas from other members so that together ANA would be moved to greater height.

The new president described his victory as a revelation of the need for change. ?It is a revelation and I think it came at a time that everybody needed that change. It was a hard fought battle; the first of its kind in the history of ANA over thirty years. I thank and give appreciation to all those who believe that we are capable of leading ANA in this crucial time.?

On the question of whether the election was free and fair or not, Raji said Agada ?can?t claim irregularity? because it was he who ?brought in students to vote for him.? He, however, pledged to carry everyone along. ?We welcome the support of everyone, we can?t ostracize anyone.?

After the inauguration of the new EXCO, the convention lost direction again. The dinner/awards ceremony originally scheduled to take place from 7 pm at NICON Luxury Hotel, Garki, didn?t hold there. In fact, most of the delegates, including Agada, were roaming the premises of the hotel looking for dinner tables when someone called that the event had been shifted to Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

By the time delegates got to Sheraton, everyone was fagged out. The stress was exacerbated by the rowdiness of the place. Foods were set, but the hall was like a market place - in fact, a ship without a captain. There was no such thing as opening prayers or remarks by the new president. No one expected the usual musical interlude and the scheduled address by the Guest Speaker, Dr. Babangida Muazu Aliyu, governor of Niger State. Because even the announcement of winners of ANA prizes, which is usually the main reason for the dinner, was not done!

The drama reached a crescendo when some delegates, on getting back to their hotels, were held hostage by the hotel management on the ground that the accommodation bills had not been paid. Narrating her experience, Binta Spikin, who was among those lodged at Sa?abhi Hotel, in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, said, ?The most unpleasant experience was when we came back to our hotel after dinner to meet our rooms locked up. We were prevented from entering because, according to the management of the hotel, the accommodation fee was not paid. They prevented us from even carrying our belongings from the rooms. We were held hostage till after 1 am.?

In the case of those who were lodged in Amazak Hotel, in Mararaba, they were allowed to have a restful night. The trouble began in the morning when they were set to depart. While the Delta State chapter delegates managed to escape by leaving very earlier in the morning, Katsina State delegates were not so lucky. The gates were shut as they made to drive out in their bus. They were held hostage for hours before the new president and his team came to their rescue. Similar ugly incidents took place in virtually all the hotels where delegates were lodged.

For many of the delegates, the convention was quite a harrowing experience. The only saving grace, according to Odia Ofeimun, was that it produced ?a new executive that appears to have enough self-respect not to accept business as usual ? a generational change in leadership that I hope would have the courage and creativity to move from the recent ineptitude and build upon the abandoned ambitions of the founding fathers and mothers of ANA?. He advised the new EXCO to ensure that the association is refocused. ?We need to return to having a proper secretariat, serious programming that rates literature above the personal grubbing for personal property by ANA chieftains. It is time to make the Writers? Village a reality beyond the incompetent projection of those angling to sell part of the ANA land in Abuja to feather partial interests against present and future generations.?

Labo Yari, one of the trustees of ANA, also advised ANA members to be less partisan and concentrate more on issues that would enhance their creativity. ?It is like these days people join ANA only to become members of the EXCO. This is wrong because there is no reason why a writer should be so concerned about positions in the EXCO. We should concentrate on writing; we should concentrate on discussing the problems of writers.? He further admonished that only chapters who are ready to host the annual convention should bid for it, to avoid a repeat of the Abuja experience.

ANA Prize winners

The list of the winners of this year?s ANA prizes was later sent to the press by the new Secretary General. According the Jury, a total of 137 entries across nine categories spanning the genres of poetry, drama and prose for were received for the Awards. The entries were received from writers resident both in Nigeria and abroad. Several entries were published abroad, some of them dealing with the experience of migrant Nigerians. The winning entries are as follows:

1. ANA/NDDC Flora Nwapa Prize for Women?s Writing (N100,000) ? Twilight at Terracotta Indigo by Umari Ayim.

2. ANA/JACARANDA Prize for Prose (N50,000) ? Sieged by Adamu Kyuka Usman.

3. ANA/Chevron Prize for Prose on Environmental Issues ($2,000). In the case of this category, even established writers did not send in entries that agree with the criteria for environmental writing. Only one merits being shortlisted. The award goes to: The Poacher?s Daughter by J. C. Agunwamba.

4. ANA/NDDC Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize For Prose (N100,000) - The Secret Lives of Baba Segi?s Wives by Lola Shoneyin.

5. ANA/NDDC Gabriel Okara Prize for Poetry (N100,000). No award is made. However, three entries merit honorable mention. These are: The Ant Eaters by Kufre Ekanem, Colourless Rainbow: Poetry of My Childhood by Senator Ihenyen and My River by C. Otobotekere.

6. ANA/James Ene Henshaw Prize for Playwriting (N150,000). Nine entries were received; 3 published and 6 unpublished. The winning entry is The Scent of Crude Oil by Eni Jologho Umuko.

7. ANA/NDDC JP Clark Prize for Drama (N100,000). 22 entries were received. The winning entry is Ogidi Mandate by Olu Obafemi .

8. ANA/Cadbury Prize for Poetry ($1,000). 15 entries received. The Beauty I Have Seen by Tanure Ojaide won the prize.

9. ANA/Esiaba Irobi Prize for Playwriting (N50,000) Five entries received. Only one is merits being shortlisted. The award goes to: Casket of Her Dreams by Isaac Attah Ogezi.

The judges for these adult categories were: Professor Chidi T. Maduka, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Victor S. Dugga, University of Jos, Mrs. Maria Ajima, and Benue State University, and Dr. Obododimma Oha, University of Ibadan. 

CHILDREN?S CATEGORY

The team of judges comprises Dr. E. E. Sule of the University of Abuja, as the Chairman, Poet John Asiedu Sarpong of Kaduna, and Professor Virginia Dike of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

According to the chairman, ?We were impressed with the quality of work as compared to last year?s entries. In addition to written expression, the themes and content are more appropriate and suitable for children of Nigeria. The physical quality of the published titles is also commendable. Together, there were 24 titles in all the categories of four.? The winning entries are as follows:

ANA/Atiku Abubakar Prize for Children?s Literature ? Preye and the Sea of Plastics by Fatima Akilu, and Mayowa and the Masquerade by Lola Shoneyin are joint winners for the prize.

ANA/Funtime for Children (Prose) ? Jide Meets a Ghost by Spencer Okoroafor.

ANA/Lantern Books Prize for Children?s Fiction ? Chijike by Chinyere Obi-Obasi.

ANA/Mazariyya Prize ? No shortlist because of insufficient entries, so there is no winner for the prize.
 
(c) Reported By SUMAILA UMAISHA and published in the 10/12/11 edition of New Nigerian newspaper.




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