Literature
For PROFESSOR REMI RAJI, the newly elected president of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, the election that saw him to the exalted seat had been a very though one, a hard fought battle, as he put it. Unseating an incumbent president of ANA, especially a personality like Dr. Jerry Agada, a one-time minster of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is not an everyday feat. So what?s the secret? He spoke to SUMAILA UMAISHA about it.
Question: How would you describe your victory at election?
Professor Remi Raji: It is 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 all appreciation to all those who believe that we are capable of leading ANA in this crucial time.
What were the things that necessitated this change?
The change was necessary because ANA was losing its relevance in the scheme of things in a very fast manner. ANA had no voice again. ANA was lethargic. The leadership was sluggish. And more so there have been instances of corrupt actions, corrupt activities even at the high level of ANA. We said ANA should not be connected with any corruption.
In my interview with Dr. Jerry Agada, he said the electoral process was not properly conducted. Would you describe the election as free and fair?
I?m sorry to say Agada is a professional politician. I came into Abuja with a view to express in a very intellectual manner the need for change, I came into Abuja hoping that I would be given the chance to address the electorate, but Agada spent three hours of the AGM to curry favour, to attract sympathy to himself, to give himself the feeling that he is the victim of all kinds of circumstances. I kept quiet all through. When he talked about irregularity, he should be accused of bringing the system of corruption that is in the political system in Nigeria to the house of ANA. Because he was the one who brought 53 people from Benue State; meaning we have such a number of known writers in Benue. He just brought in students to vote for him. I find that very shocking. And he kept on claiming that there was irregularity. When you lose there is going to be such claim. He can?t claim irregularity; he should just be a good loser because there are works to be done. If he wants to continue to work with ANA, if he considers himself as the elder statesman he said, he should not come up with excuses, he should begin to think of mopping up so many bad things that he himself had done. He should simply accept defeat and act the way former presidents have behaved.
Having won, how are you going to ensure that ANA becomes the ANA of your dream?
We will do everything to forestall having fake writers among us. Let?s have a database. Thirty years after ANA?s establishment, you cannot know who is a writer and who is not.
Agada pledged to help in moving ANA forward if you ask for his assistance.
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Literature
It was a hard fought battle - Raji
For PROFESSOR REMI RAJI, the newly elected president of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, the election that saw him to the exalted seat had been a very though one, a hard fought battle, as he put it. Unseating an incumbent president of ANA, especially a personality like Dr. Jerry Agada, a one-time minster of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is not an everyday feat. So what?s the secret? He spoke to SUMAILA UMAISHA about it.
Question: How would you describe your victory at election?
Professor Remi Raji: It is 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 all appreciation to all those who believe that we are capable of leading ANA in this crucial time.
What were the things that necessitated this change?
The change was necessary because ANA was losing its relevance in the scheme of things in a very fast manner. ANA had no voice again. ANA was lethargic. The leadership was sluggish. And more so there have been instances of corrupt actions, corrupt activities even at the high level of ANA. We said ANA should not be connected with any corruption.
In my interview with Dr. Jerry Agada, he said the electoral process was not properly conducted. Would you describe the election as free and fair?
I?m sorry to say Agada is a professional politician. I came into Abuja with a view to express in a very intellectual manner the need for change, I came into Abuja hoping that I would be given the chance to address the electorate, but Agada spent three hours of the AGM to curry favour, to attract sympathy to himself, to give himself the feeling that he is the victim of all kinds of circumstances. I kept quiet all through. When he talked about irregularity, he should be accused of bringing the system of corruption that is in the political system in Nigeria to the house of ANA. Because he was the one who brought 53 people from Benue State; meaning we have such a number of known writers in Benue. He just brought in students to vote for him. I find that very shocking. And he kept on claiming that there was irregularity. When you lose there is going to be such claim. He can?t claim irregularity; he should just be a good loser because there are works to be done. If he wants to continue to work with ANA, if he considers himself as the elder statesman he said, he should not come up with excuses, he should begin to think of mopping up so many bad things that he himself had done. He should simply accept defeat and act the way former presidents have behaved.
Having won, how are you going to ensure that ANA becomes the ANA of your dream?
We will do everything to forestall having fake writers among us. Let?s have a database. Thirty years after ANA?s establishment, you cannot know who is a writer and who is not.
Agada pledged to help in moving ANA forward if you ask for his assistance.
We welcome the support of everyone, we can?t ostracize anyone.
(c) Published in the New Nigerian newspaper edition of 11/12/11
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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...
- 2011 Ana Convention: A Monumental Failure!
A cross-section of delegates at the convention The haunting memories...
- Remi Raji Posed To Re-write Ana?s History
PROFESSOR ADEREMI RAJI-OYELADE a.k.a. Remi Raji is a well known name in the community of writers and academics, having authored a number of creative pieces and critical works in the areas of literary theory, African and African American Literatures,...
- 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...
- Eugenia Blazes The Trail In Book Promotion (report)
Eugenia Abu of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, has held a public reading of her book, In the Blink of an Eye, on 24th June, 2008, at Protea Hotel, Maitama, Abuja ? the 26th public reading since the book was published last year. Hosted by Abike...