Literature
The Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, is well known for its commitment to annual conference. For the past 30 years it has held an international convention annually. This year is not an exception. Members of the association from the state chapters across the country will be gathering in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State capital, for the annual ritual next month; 8th to 11th November. The convention, which is hosted in turn each year by a state chapter, is not just a jamboree for writers to have cocktail, dinner, drama presentation and embark on excursion to interesting tourist sites. It is usually a time for sober reflection as well. Hence, part of the activities at the convention include welcome ceremony and plenary sessions where papers are presented and engaging discussions are held on the way forward for the association in particular and the country in general. The theme of this year?s conference is ?Nigerian Literature, Social Media and Security?, and Pius Adesanmi of Carleton University, Canada, as Keynote Speaker, will speak on the burning issue of insecurity in the land and how literature could be harnessed towards solving the problem. It is interesting to note that the association first began in the brain of only one man who thought it wise to initiate a body that would support and promote Nigerian literature. What is even more interesting is the fact that today when the origin of the association is being discussed, the word ?founding fathers? is used, not ?founder father?, because Chinua Achebe, the initiator, selflessly gave it a stamp of collective decision. Rather than simply gathering writers and announcing to them his intention to establish a writers? association, he made it a subject of deliberation, where the desirability of having such a body in the country was debated. And this selflessness has made the association a kind of commonwealth to which every member feels a sense of belonging. Precisely, the historic conference in which the association was born, took place on June 27, 1981, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with notable Nigerian writers in attendance. From that first conference, members of the association have not only made it mandatory to convene every year, they have been in the forefront of promoting Nigerian literature and the interest of Nigerian writers. Worthy of note too is the fact that the membership of the association has been expanding so rapidly that today it could be said to be the biggest writer?s body in Africa. It has members in almost all the states of the federation with active and functional branches in 30 out of the 36 states. Each of the chapters is fully engaged in activities like workshops, reading sessions, publications of anthologies and award of literary prizes in the bid to encourage young writers to realise their literary potential. It would be recalled that the current leadership of the national body of ANA, led by Professor Remi Raji, took over from the Dr. Jerry Agada-led Executive Council last year at the Abuja convention. At inception they inherited loads of problems piled up by the previous administrations, such as lack of authentic constitution, accurate membership data and the incessant court case over the association?s land in Abuja. Trying to live up to expectations, the EXCO has made some positive moves. The draft constitution is being worked on and might be ready soon. And the recent positive outcome of the judgment on the Abuja land as reported by the association?s Legal Adviser, shows the case might be over and the land would soon be developed accordingly. Another major achievement is the securing of N3 million grant from Mr. Yusuf Ali, for the ANA/Yusuf Ali Schools? Literary Awareness Campaign. From the N3 million, N2,400,000 was disbursed to 16 state chapters at N150,000 each. The beneficiaries were Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Imo, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, and Rivers state chapters. In terms of future plans, the EXCO is presently planning to hold an anti-corruption workshop in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. It is also planning a Nigerian Writers Series in collaboration with the Niger State government. The proposal has been submitted to the state government and all that is being awaited now is the approval and disbursement of funds for the first phase of the project. The EXCO is even looking beyond its first tenure, which ends in November, 2013; it is articulating a programme for Nigeria?s 100th anniversary to be held in 2014. Tagged Congress of African Writers, it is expected to bring together African writers from far and wide. These are indeed good attempts at steering ANA towards a better future. And as writers gather in Uyo in the next few days, the leadership is bound to get a pat on the back. But it should also be prepared for a punch on the back as questions would be asked on the many areas yet to be covered by their effort. (c) Sumaila Umaisha
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Literature
As writers converge on Uyo?
The Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, is well known for its commitment to annual conference. For the past 30 years it has held an international convention annually. This year is not an exception. Members of the association from the state chapters across the country will be gathering in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State capital, for the annual ritual next month; 8th to 11th November. The convention, which is hosted in turn each year by a state chapter, is not just a jamboree for writers to have cocktail, dinner, drama presentation and embark on excursion to interesting tourist sites. It is usually a time for sober reflection as well. Hence, part of the activities at the convention include welcome ceremony and plenary sessions where papers are presented and engaging discussions are held on the way forward for the association in particular and the country in general. The theme of this year?s conference is ?Nigerian Literature, Social Media and Security?, and Pius Adesanmi of Carleton University, Canada, as Keynote Speaker, will speak on the burning issue of insecurity in the land and how literature could be harnessed towards solving the problem. It is interesting to note that the association first began in the brain of only one man who thought it wise to initiate a body that would support and promote Nigerian literature. What is even more interesting is the fact that today when the origin of the association is being discussed, the word ?founding fathers? is used, not ?founder father?, because Chinua Achebe, the initiator, selflessly gave it a stamp of collective decision. Rather than simply gathering writers and announcing to them his intention to establish a writers? association, he made it a subject of deliberation, where the desirability of having such a body in the country was debated. And this selflessness has made the association a kind of commonwealth to which every member feels a sense of belonging. Precisely, the historic conference in which the association was born, took place on June 27, 1981, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with notable Nigerian writers in attendance. From that first conference, members of the association have not only made it mandatory to convene every year, they have been in the forefront of promoting Nigerian literature and the interest of Nigerian writers. Worthy of note too is the fact that the membership of the association has been expanding so rapidly that today it could be said to be the biggest writer?s body in Africa. It has members in almost all the states of the federation with active and functional branches in 30 out of the 36 states. Each of the chapters is fully engaged in activities like workshops, reading sessions, publications of anthologies and award of literary prizes in the bid to encourage young writers to realise their literary potential. It would be recalled that the current leadership of the national body of ANA, led by Professor Remi Raji, took over from the Dr. Jerry Agada-led Executive Council last year at the Abuja convention. At inception they inherited loads of problems piled up by the previous administrations, such as lack of authentic constitution, accurate membership data and the incessant court case over the association?s land in Abuja. Trying to live up to expectations, the EXCO has made some positive moves. The draft constitution is being worked on and might be ready soon. And the recent positive outcome of the judgment on the Abuja land as reported by the association?s Legal Adviser, shows the case might be over and the land would soon be developed accordingly. Another major achievement is the securing of N3 million grant from Mr. Yusuf Ali, for the ANA/Yusuf Ali Schools? Literary Awareness Campaign. From the N3 million, N2,400,000 was disbursed to 16 state chapters at N150,000 each. The beneficiaries were Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Imo, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, and Rivers state chapters. In terms of future plans, the EXCO is presently planning to hold an anti-corruption workshop in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. It is also planning a Nigerian Writers Series in collaboration with the Niger State government. The proposal has been submitted to the state government and all that is being awaited now is the approval and disbursement of funds for the first phase of the project. The EXCO is even looking beyond its first tenure, which ends in November, 2013; it is articulating a programme for Nigeria?s 100th anniversary to be held in 2014. Tagged Congress of African Writers, it is expected to bring together African writers from far and wide. These are indeed good attempts at steering ANA towards a better future. And as writers gather in Uyo in the next few days, the leadership is bound to get a pat on the back. But it should also be prepared for a punch on the back as questions would be asked on the many areas yet to be covered by their effort. (c) Sumaila Umaisha
- Niger State: The Making Of A Literary Capital
Once upon a time the area known today as Niger State was famous mainly for its strategic position as a major railway station that drew together people from diverse ethnic groups. But the literary revolution, which began with Abubakar Imam?s legendary...
- I Went Down Fighting - Agada
The Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, held its 30th Annual International Convention in Abuja from Wednesday 30th November to Sunday 4th December, 2011. And one of the main activities at the conference was the election of new executive council members...
- Celebrating Jp Clark?s Glowing Achievements
Recently, the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, held a two-day colloquium on the 50 years of JP Clark?s writings in Lagos. In this interview at the event, the President of the association, Dr. Jerry Agada, spoke about the occasion, its shortcomings...
- Kano Censorship Crisis Resolved (?)
Kano State Censorship Board has reversed its position on the compulsory registration of individual writers, bringing to an end the several weeks of media war between the board and writers in the state. The resolution was reached at an interactive meeting...
- Denja - 'achebe Colloquium Will Be Bigger Than Soyinka?s'
As the International Colloquium to mark the 50th Anniversary of the publication of Chinua Achebe?s Things Fall Apart draws near, the General Secretary of Association of Nigerian Authors, MALAM DENJA ABDULLAHI, speaks to SUMAILA UMAISHA on the preparations...