Literature
L ? R: Prof. Ayo Bamgbose, Miss Siene Allwell-Brown, Prof. Ben Elugbe, Mrs. Mabel Segun, Prof. Ayo Banjo and Malam Denja Abdullahi at the opening ceremony
Why does a book considered by the author as a masterpiece at times fail to make it in literary contests and in terms of readership? Why do some manuscripts hitherto rejected by publishers eventually gain acceptance and even later become famous? How can a writer realise his dream of being read and celebrated?
These are some of the usual questions on the minds of many writers. And they were the questions discussed recently in a workshop organised by the Nigerian Academy of Letters, NAL, in association with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, in the quest for literary excellence among Nigerian writers.
Tagged Creative Writing Empowerment Workshop, the event took place at the University of Ibadan, Monday 17th to Friday 21st January, 2011. It began with an opening ceremony at the Conference Centre of the university, with writers, members of NAL and officials of NLNG in attendance.
In his opening remarks, the president of NAL, Professor Ben Elugbe, said the workshop was necessitated by the need to develop the writing skills of Nigerian writers. According to him, NAL and NLNG were not happy about the low standard of some of the entries received for the NLNG literary competition, which resulted in the no-winner-verdict on the 2009 edition. He said it was in view of this that the two bodies decided to use part of the prize money for that year to organise the workshop. ?We hope to raise the standards through this workshop,? he said. He then expressed gratitude to NLNG for the sponsorship and enjoined the participants to take full advantage of the exercise.
The General Manager (External Relations) of NLNG, Siene Allwell-Brown, recounted the controversy over the 2009 verdict and stressed that in spite of the criticisms, NLNG is proud of the judges for their decision. ?We are immensely proud of the judges for their integrity, their honesty, their steadfastness. It takes a lot of courage to hold up a mirror to the ugly face of a nation; to point the way to a people going astray?.
She asserted that ?the literary landscape is bare and except for a few token figures, almost bereft of high achievers and heavy hitters,? and expressed NLNG?s determination to change what she called the general mediocrity, which the 2009 NLNG prize verdict underscored.
The chairman, Planning Committee, of the workshop, Professor Dan Ezevbaye, also expressed NAL?s determination to continue to promote Nigerian literature.
While thanking NAL and NLNG for the initiative, Dr. Jerry Agada, president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, observed that the workshop would go a long way in advancing the cause of literary development in Nigeria. The president, who was represented by Malam Denja Abdullahi, former Secretary of the association, urged writers to cooperate with all literary-minded bodies seeking to promote literature.
Highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address by the award-winning writer, Mrs. Mabel Segun. The octogenarian spoke extensively on the need for writers to sharpen their skills through avenues like workshops. She said workshop was a most effective tool because of the interactions with resource persons and fellow participants. She also admonished writers to read widely in order to equip themselves with ideas and language.
She praised the Bring Back the Book programme of the federal government, but cautioned that it should not be used as a mere political gimmick. ?Government has to show its sincerity by addressing the real problems such as lack of relevant books?, she said, adding that ?books must be made available because people cannot read when books are not there.?
The ceremony was rounded off with a dazzling poetry performance by Ify Omalicha, a postgraduate student of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan, who was also a participant at the workshop, and Hannah Chima, a 300 level Theatre Arts student of the university.
Ify and Hannah performing
The workshop commenced at the Lecture Theatre of the Institute of African Studies shortly after the ceremony, and continued throughout the week from 9 am to 5.30 pm daily. 26 participants were in attendance, out of the 30 candidates invited from the 240 applications received by the organisers. 12 participants came from Lagos. According to Professor Ezevbaye, participants were selected for the workshop based on the works they submitted, which were assessed for eligibility.
The workshop was run by award-winning writers, language and publishing experts; Professors Akachi Ezeigbo, Ahmed Yerima, Festus Adesanoye, Munzali Jibril, Dr. Hyginius Ekwuazi and Malam Denja Abdullahi. The subjects taught included Language, Publishing, Poetry, Drama and Prose.
Participants interviewed said they found Publishing one of the most interesting subjects, not just for the humorous and lively manner it was handled by Professor Adesanoye, but because of the fascinating revelations of what manuscripts go through before they are eventually published. For instance, the professor revealed that a manuscript could be rejected not only on the grounds that it is badly written, but for several reasons. One of such reasons, he said, could be that the publishing house has preference for genres other than the one submitted by the writer or its budget cannot accommodate the manuscript. And this is why, according to him, manuscripts earlier rejected by publishers based on these reasons eventually get published by another publishing outfit.
He, however, stressed that 80 per cent of unsolicited manuscripts do not make it mainly because of the quality of the language, adding that writers must endeavour to perfect their medium of expression if they want to succeed.
In his presentation, titled, The Writer in the Society: Influences, Associations and Affiliations, Malam Denja outlined the history, aims and activities of ANA, and urged the participants to register with the association and other relevant bodies to widen their interactive scope with fellow writers.
Professor Akachi, who handled two topics; Prose Writing and Children?s Literature lectured extensively on important components in children?s literature and how to handle elements of prose writing such as plot and characterisation.
Nigerian English, according to Professor Munzali, is the bane of Nigerian writers. He traced the origin of Nigerian English and how it has become difficult for Nigerian writers to differentiate between it and the Standard English. According to him, words like ?ghost worker?, ?chewing stick?, ?arrangee? ?decampee? and ?send-forth? are freely used by writers thereby damaging their works. To avoid this problem, he said, writers should avail themselves of writing aids like dictionary and thesaurus.
While taking the participants through their respective subjects, other resources persons equally laid emphasis on the need for writers to mind their language, and repeatedly advised participants to develop the habit of reading so as to improve their skills.
Participants being lectured by Professor Akachi
The last day of the workshop, Friday, 21st, featured Writers? Forum, an interactive session between the participants and the organisers. During the question and answer segment, participants expressed profound appreciation of the lessons learnt, but wished the period was longer. According to Chima Iwunze, ?We have gained a lot, but we would have gained more if there was enough time. Two weeks would have been ideal. Some of the topics were rushed due to time constraint.?
Responding, the chairman of the Planning Committee admitted that the time was indeed short, but stressed that they couldn?t have done otherwise, given the resources available and time factor. ?It involves a lot of expenses, and also I don?t think many of the participants themselves and the resource persons have that time to devote to something which is not part of what they normally do,? he said.
He promised that the organisers would ensure that handbooks from the workshop are widely distributed so that even those who did not have the opportunity to attend the workshop would gain from it.
In his address, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, former pro-chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and member of the 2009 NLNG Literature Committee, advised the participants to read widely as no one could be a good artist unless he masters his medium of communication.
He urged writers to be their own critic so that they would not be unduly touchy when criticised. According to him, the characteristic phobia for criticism among some Nigerian writers was carried to the extreme when in 2009 the NLNG prize judges passed a verdict of no-winner. ?If they had been severe on themselves, they would have seen what the judges saw,? he said.
He also acknowledged Professor Femi Osofisan?s role in initiating the workshop, saying it was he who sent the first proposal on the workshop to the Ibadan Working Group, IWG. He expressed gratitude to Osofisan and all those who made the event possible.
Certificates of attendance were issued to the participants and the memorable event came to an end with another performance by Omalicha, based on Oswald Mtshali?s play, Amagadouka at Glencoe Station.
(c) Reported by Sumaila Umaisha and published in the New Nigerian newspaper edition of 29th January, 2011.
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Literature
NAL, NLNG in quest for literary excellence
L ? R: Prof. Ayo Bamgbose, Miss Siene Allwell-Brown, Prof. Ben Elugbe, Mrs. Mabel Segun, Prof. Ayo Banjo and Malam Denja Abdullahi at the opening ceremony
Why does a book considered by the author as a masterpiece at times fail to make it in literary contests and in terms of readership? Why do some manuscripts hitherto rejected by publishers eventually gain acceptance and even later become famous? How can a writer realise his dream of being read and celebrated?
These are some of the usual questions on the minds of many writers. And they were the questions discussed recently in a workshop organised by the Nigerian Academy of Letters, NAL, in association with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, in the quest for literary excellence among Nigerian writers.
Tagged Creative Writing Empowerment Workshop, the event took place at the University of Ibadan, Monday 17th to Friday 21st January, 2011. It began with an opening ceremony at the Conference Centre of the university, with writers, members of NAL and officials of NLNG in attendance.
In his opening remarks, the president of NAL, Professor Ben Elugbe, said the workshop was necessitated by the need to develop the writing skills of Nigerian writers. According to him, NAL and NLNG were not happy about the low standard of some of the entries received for the NLNG literary competition, which resulted in the no-winner-verdict on the 2009 edition. He said it was in view of this that the two bodies decided to use part of the prize money for that year to organise the workshop. ?We hope to raise the standards through this workshop,? he said. He then expressed gratitude to NLNG for the sponsorship and enjoined the participants to take full advantage of the exercise.
The General Manager (External Relations) of NLNG, Siene Allwell-Brown, recounted the controversy over the 2009 verdict and stressed that in spite of the criticisms, NLNG is proud of the judges for their decision. ?We are immensely proud of the judges for their integrity, their honesty, their steadfastness. It takes a lot of courage to hold up a mirror to the ugly face of a nation; to point the way to a people going astray?.
She asserted that ?the literary landscape is bare and except for a few token figures, almost bereft of high achievers and heavy hitters,? and expressed NLNG?s determination to change what she called the general mediocrity, which the 2009 NLNG prize verdict underscored.
The chairman, Planning Committee, of the workshop, Professor Dan Ezevbaye, also expressed NAL?s determination to continue to promote Nigerian literature.
While thanking NAL and NLNG for the initiative, Dr. Jerry Agada, president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, observed that the workshop would go a long way in advancing the cause of literary development in Nigeria. The president, who was represented by Malam Denja Abdullahi, former Secretary of the association, urged writers to cooperate with all literary-minded bodies seeking to promote literature.
Highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address by the award-winning writer, Mrs. Mabel Segun. The octogenarian spoke extensively on the need for writers to sharpen their skills through avenues like workshops. She said workshop was a most effective tool because of the interactions with resource persons and fellow participants. She also admonished writers to read widely in order to equip themselves with ideas and language.
She praised the Bring Back the Book programme of the federal government, but cautioned that it should not be used as a mere political gimmick. ?Government has to show its sincerity by addressing the real problems such as lack of relevant books?, she said, adding that ?books must be made available because people cannot read when books are not there.?
The ceremony was rounded off with a dazzling poetry performance by Ify Omalicha, a postgraduate student of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan, who was also a participant at the workshop, and Hannah Chima, a 300 level Theatre Arts student of the university.
Ify and Hannah performing
The workshop commenced at the Lecture Theatre of the Institute of African Studies shortly after the ceremony, and continued throughout the week from 9 am to 5.30 pm daily. 26 participants were in attendance, out of the 30 candidates invited from the 240 applications received by the organisers. 12 participants came from Lagos. According to Professor Ezevbaye, participants were selected for the workshop based on the works they submitted, which were assessed for eligibility.
The workshop was run by award-winning writers, language and publishing experts; Professors Akachi Ezeigbo, Ahmed Yerima, Festus Adesanoye, Munzali Jibril, Dr. Hyginius Ekwuazi and Malam Denja Abdullahi. The subjects taught included Language, Publishing, Poetry, Drama and Prose.
Participants interviewed said they found Publishing one of the most interesting subjects, not just for the humorous and lively manner it was handled by Professor Adesanoye, but because of the fascinating revelations of what manuscripts go through before they are eventually published. For instance, the professor revealed that a manuscript could be rejected not only on the grounds that it is badly written, but for several reasons. One of such reasons, he said, could be that the publishing house has preference for genres other than the one submitted by the writer or its budget cannot accommodate the manuscript. And this is why, according to him, manuscripts earlier rejected by publishers based on these reasons eventually get published by another publishing outfit.
He, however, stressed that 80 per cent of unsolicited manuscripts do not make it mainly because of the quality of the language, adding that writers must endeavour to perfect their medium of expression if they want to succeed.
In his presentation, titled, The Writer in the Society: Influences, Associations and Affiliations, Malam Denja outlined the history, aims and activities of ANA, and urged the participants to register with the association and other relevant bodies to widen their interactive scope with fellow writers.
Professor Akachi, who handled two topics; Prose Writing and Children?s Literature lectured extensively on important components in children?s literature and how to handle elements of prose writing such as plot and characterisation.
Nigerian English, according to Professor Munzali, is the bane of Nigerian writers. He traced the origin of Nigerian English and how it has become difficult for Nigerian writers to differentiate between it and the Standard English. According to him, words like ?ghost worker?, ?chewing stick?, ?arrangee? ?decampee? and ?send-forth? are freely used by writers thereby damaging their works. To avoid this problem, he said, writers should avail themselves of writing aids like dictionary and thesaurus.
While taking the participants through their respective subjects, other resources persons equally laid emphasis on the need for writers to mind their language, and repeatedly advised participants to develop the habit of reading so as to improve their skills.
Participants being lectured by Professor Akachi
The last day of the workshop, Friday, 21st, featured Writers? Forum, an interactive session between the participants and the organisers. During the question and answer segment, participants expressed profound appreciation of the lessons learnt, but wished the period was longer. According to Chima Iwunze, ?We have gained a lot, but we would have gained more if there was enough time. Two weeks would have been ideal. Some of the topics were rushed due to time constraint.?
Responding, the chairman of the Planning Committee admitted that the time was indeed short, but stressed that they couldn?t have done otherwise, given the resources available and time factor. ?It involves a lot of expenses, and also I don?t think many of the participants themselves and the resource persons have that time to devote to something which is not part of what they normally do,? he said.
He promised that the organisers would ensure that handbooks from the workshop are widely distributed so that even those who did not have the opportunity to attend the workshop would gain from it.
In his address, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, former pro-chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and member of the 2009 NLNG Literature Committee, advised the participants to read widely as no one could be a good artist unless he masters his medium of communication.
He urged writers to be their own critic so that they would not be unduly touchy when criticised. According to him, the characteristic phobia for criticism among some Nigerian writers was carried to the extreme when in 2009 the NLNG prize judges passed a verdict of no-winner. ?If they had been severe on themselves, they would have seen what the judges saw,? he said.
He also acknowledged Professor Femi Osofisan?s role in initiating the workshop, saying it was he who sent the first proposal on the workshop to the Ibadan Working Group, IWG. He expressed gratitude to Osofisan and all those who made the event possible.
Certificates of attendance were issued to the participants and the memorable event came to an end with another performance by Omalicha, based on Oswald Mtshali?s play, Amagadouka at Glencoe Station.
(c) Reported by Sumaila Umaisha and published in the New Nigerian newspaper edition of 29th January, 2011.
- Farafina Trust Workshop 2013: Call For Applications
Farafina Trust will be holding a creative writing workshop in Lagos, organized by award winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie, from August 6 to August 16 2013. The Caine Prize winning Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina,...
- Want To Participate In Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop?
Binyavanga and Chimamanda with participants at the 2010 edition Farafina Trust will be holding a creative writing workshop in Lagos, organized by award-winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie, from June 23 to July 2...
- Poetry: Sentinel Nigeria Spreads The Gospel
The 3rd of July, 2010 was a special day for the members of the Kaduna State chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors and writers resident in Kaduna, as Unoma Azuah, Professor of Creative Writing at Lane College, USA, lectured them on some vital techniques...
- Ana, Atiku Promote Children Literature
It is a common knowledge that Children?s Literature is the least patronised literary genre in Nigeria. Nigerian writers tend to shy away from producing the genre while parents and teachers seem to care less. And those who care simply resort to foreign...
- Promoting The Nigerian Pidgin English
The Nigerian Pidgin English has an ironic stigma that even language experts find difficult to understand. It is the most widely spoken language, the only unbiased lingua franca with interjections of many indigenous languages across the country, and it...