By YJ Itopa
Kogi State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors( ANA), was the cynosure of all eyes at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Mpape, Abuja, recently when its apex body held its 44th national Convention where new officials were elected to run the affairs of the largest African body of writers.
The intellectual body which was initiated by writers such as Chinua Achebe, JP Clack-Bekederemo was attended by literay stakeholders from within and outside Nigeria. The first and only Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka was one of the literary Giants that gave the Writers event its coloufulness.
The election which was held on November 1st returning most of its elected officials was described by most speakers as peaceful, credible and transparent.
Elected to lead the association between 2025-2026 and 2027, ANA’s new President, Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi, who thanked the Board of Trustees, Council of Elders, literary stakeholders and members for reposing confidence in him and other members of the new executive members said inter alia:
“On behalf of the executive members of ANA, I express our gratitude to our founding fathers for laying the foundation for this apex body of writers to thrive in Nigeria, the Board of Trustees, Council of elders, literary stakeholders and our members who travelled far and near to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja for entrusting their trust and confidence in us.
“For us, this is a mandate for continuity, unity, literary advancement. We promise to consolidate on the gains of our first tenure by ensuring inclusivity, transparency and a level playing ground for all members to continue meaningfully to the growth of the association.
Others who were elected to run ANA with Dr. Akanbi as President included Dame Joan Oji ( Secretary ), Prof. Obari Gomba (Vice president ), Dr. Keyna Eshika – Financial Secretary) and Wole Adedonyi – Assistant Secretary General).
Speaking earlier, Professor Wole Soyinka, called on Journalist to desist from quoting the people who spoke to them at events citing himself as a victim of such journalism of misquotation.
“The US Government of Donald Trump has revoked my Visa to travel to the United States of America. Yes, Trump, the white- Faced Idi Amin has decided to revoke my Visa. Does that make me stateless? I removed my property from there ages ago. But one Journalist reported that he was surprised that I said I was surprised and confused.
“In fact, all of you here in the hall know that I can never say such a thing. I know what I have contributed to that country for its development and I also know how they have helped us, providing us refuge, a conducive environment to fight for democracy in Nigeria when we had our own monster here. Please, the Journalist, stop misquoting me. I am not surprised. I am not confused. It is the Journalist that is confused.”
Thanking Nigerians and writers for their solidarity and support over the Visa revocation matter, he congratulated the newly elected Akanbi led executives, even as he called on them to justify the trust and confidence that members have reposed in them.
Many features actually climaxed the Convocation. The cerebral Professor Udenta Udenta delivered a Paper: ” THE NIGERIAN WRITER and the URGENCIES OF THE NATION-STATE”, to the admiration of the audience and Swearing-in ceremony of the elected officials for the next two years.
The convention play, “The tori don geti bow leg : Mamma Vatsa’ story”, written by Kogi-born Denja Abdullahi, was performed to relive the history/story of the execution of General Mamma Vatsa, by the Government of his Childhood friend and Ally, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida( IBB). The Convention Key note Address was by Senator Shehu Sani.
The high point of the event, was announcing winners of ANA categories of literary prizes.
Another icing on the cake was the gathering of eggheads that rousingly gladdened the heart of the Kogi delegates to the convention and the special attention that Kogi State got at the Writers Village in Abuja.
Kogi ANA was perhaps the only chapter that presented Newsletter in which news of all its literary activities were reported. A couple of days before the event, Professor Olu Obafemi, Professor Femi Osofisan and the the ANA President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, were in Lokoja for a literary event.
The Graphic Newspaper Editorial did not let them go without having elaborate interviews with them. The interaction covered a wide range of issues. Copies of that Special edition of the Paper found its way to the Convention, and proudly so, the ANA Convention members swooped on it as ants would palm oil.
The Graphic Newspaper was like “hot cake” as our people say in local parlance. The distribution of the Paper and the ANA Kogi Newsletter really pleased the literary Community. It was a promotion for the State.
Appreciating the contributions of ANA chapters from the Country, the association’s President, Dr. Akanbi, particularly called Kogi State ANA out for appreciation. “I thank ANA Kogi for their effort in this Convention. The Chapter has come alive. Years back, it was not this active. Thank you, Chairman, ANA Kogi.”
In fact, our members had to beg members who didn’t get copies of The Graphic and ANA newsletter for forgiveness. “ANA, Kogi, what wrong did we do to you that you didn’t give us your Paper? ” We are very sorry, forgive us.” We begged.
In fact, the Backpage story of The Graphic, “Governor Ododo will carry ANA shoulder high,” drew envy and admiration from many other ANA chapters.”
Members heard them say: ” Look at this ANA Kogi. Unlike us, they are very lucky with their, Governor. Ododo is a good Governor. See this story at the back page. He said he will carry them shoulder high, lucky. I admire them.” One of them admitted.”
At the Convention, Kogi State ANA was indeed the cynosure of all eyes. We are grateful to those whose support in one way or the other has made our outing at the Convention a memorable one. Our Patron, Simbabi Ogbeha, thanks for your support as always. Our gratitude goes to the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Evangelist Kinsley Fanwo, and his Technical Adviser to the Ministry, Ebenezer Adurodija, Hon Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, Kogi State Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Adeiza Evinemi, Director General of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Princess Nana Hauwa Yusuf, Seidu Haruna Ademu, Kogi NUJ Chairman, for their love and support for ANA Kogi.
The Graphic Newspaper Corporation where ANA holds its monthly meetings is the one who gives the literay minds the fertile ground on which tree ANA thrives for its leaves to be be this green. Thank you so much, The Graphic Newspaper stable.
