By Dominic Nwobodo
The President of Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Camilus Ukah shared ideas with Elders of the association who at different times have served in various capacities at both national and state levels, on ways to having a successful event.
During the meeting held 19th of September, 2021 hosted by one of the Elders, Pastor Chukwudi Eze, the Author of Yes, Lord, issues of making the mind creative village, creative partnership, boosting reading culture and establishment of modern press for writers, the science of development and concepts of writing, etc were discussed.
Several other deliberatioms were made on how to hold a world class and befitting event to mark the rare anniversary of the association, it was also discussed that every member must be carried along to ensure a hitchfree convention.
The Central Working Committee of the 40th anniversar
y of the flagship Nigerian writers organisation established in 1981 by one of Africa’s greatest literary exports to the world, Chinua Achebe is set to host reknowned authors, members, partners and book enthusiasts globally.
The Conference with a theme, Resilience and Nation Building: The Role of Nigerian Literature is scheduled to hold on 4th to 6th November, 2021, at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Kilometre 2, Mpape, FCT, Abuja, with two iconic writers and international scholars, Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan and Professor Akachi Ezeigbo as keynote speakers.
The Grand Opening Ceremony is billed to hold on 5th November, 2021 at 10:00am and the Nigeria’s President is expected to flag off the event, while the writers village would be saturated
by other creative and educative activities.
During the dinner and strategic meeting the President stated that the event is of very strategic importance to our collective national pride. He further mentioned that beyond the clear continental leadership role of Nigerian literature, that the Mamman Vatsa Writers village is by far the biggest literary resort in Africa and arguably the world.
He therefore invite the general public to be part of the commissioning of the imposing literary statement in the form of the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre located within one of the world’s biggest literary villages situated on the hills of Mpape.
“The ANA@40 is therefore, a grand opportunity to once and again showcase an indisputable and consistent area of Nigeria’s leadership and greatness, her Literature, a re-launch of the ANA A-BOOK-A-CHILD-A-WEEK Project”, President assured.
The dream of the association is to have forty thousand books that will help to impact positively on the intellectual capital development of our school children. This project is in line with government’s efforts to improve reading culture and productivity of the creative sector.
By estimated ANA @40 is the biggest literary event in Africa in recent times, a high powered delegation from the Pan African Writers Association based in Accra, Ghana as well as delegates from other nations are expected to be present.
Agrieved members following the Enugu botched convention were encouraged to come out to participate by declaring interest to run, contest, vote and be voted for during the November Convention.
Present at the meeting are prominent authors and elders of ANA Abuja Prof. Emeka Amiagolu; Prof. Mabel Evwierhoma; Chief Chijioke Ejiofor; Pastor Chukwudi Eze; others are Barrister Martin Ezimano, National Legal Adviser; Comrade Taiwo Akerele, Chairman ANA Abuja; Amb. Lois Otse Adams, former Chairman, Caretaker Committee and Dr. Camilus Ukah, President.
