'Humour is at the root of creative writing' - Chuma Nwokolo

Chuma Nwokolo Jr., a lawyer, writer, and publisher of African Writing magazine, was a guest writer at the recent weekly reading of the Kaduna State chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA. The author of the poetry collection, Memories of Stone, and the novels, Tales by Conversation, Diaries of a Dead African and many others, read from his latest novel, The Ghost of Sani Abacha, a collection of ‘tales of life and love in the aftermath of autocracy’. In this interview with Sumaila Umaisha, he speaks about his writings and the place of humour in literary creativity.

Sumaila Umaisha: When and how did you start writing?

Chuma Nwokolo: I started writing seriously as an undergraduate. This was back in the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria where I had enrolled to study Law. I probably should have studied harder for a better degree, but I finished two manuscripts during my four years there. These were published in the 80s in Macmillan’s Pacesetters series: The Extortionist (published in 1983, in my final year) and Dangerous Inheritance (published in 1988, while I was in legal practice in Lagos).

Your writings are humorous; is it deliberate or it is your natural style?

I suppose it is a blend of both. I usually have a plethora of potential story ideas, so the process of choosing an idea to write involves a sort of virtual audition in which the inspiration is making a case for the time and effort that would go into crafting a tale out of it. And like anyone else, I like a good laugh. I’d far rather spend the next month slaving over a tale that puts a grin on my face while I’m actually working. The richest humour is unexpected, isn’t it? The sort of laughter that can surprise a bereaved on his way to the graveyard... that has got to be the ‘Bentley’ of humour... so if a story idea has the potential of that killer combination: graveyard-serious subject matter, and relentless humour, chances are, it’s got my vote.

It is not obsessive, of course, this ‘humour-hunt’. Nothing is more insufferable than a joker who does not know when to shush. The difference between a clown and a literary humorist is that the clown has to be funny in- and out-of-season. So there are stories that don’t have a funny bone at all, and that is alright too - if I like it, I’ll still write it.

Also, the process of revision – in appropriate cases – fine-tunes the timing of the humour. But unless you are writing gags for a soap opera, humour is rarely the sort of thing you can simply add to your material on a read-through. So there is some deliberation there... but as to the question of style, I suppose it is a matter of degree. I think it is the lightness of the satire that makes it funny. Sometimes satire can be so savage that there is blood on the page. At that point, even if the material is technically funny, the first instinct is not laughter. It is like any of the legions of the victims of Fela’s lyrics (which includes all of us really: policemen, users of bleaching creams, zombies, teachers, imams, bishops, soldiers...) what do we do on a dance floor when the relevant satire comes up. Yes, it is technically music, so we are dancing, but we are also conscious that the first and final instinct of the hearer is not to dance. It is to brood on the message. 

What would you say is the main importance of humour in creative writing?

I’d say that humour is at the root of creative writing. Entertainment is a fundamental object of creative writing and humour is about entertainment. A creative writer has an interesting perspective on this curious world we live in, and he is keen to share it. Humour is just one potential facet of this perspective he shares.

But humour also serves the function of a sugar coating on the pill of reality. Sometimes when our tales are too grim to swallow they can go down better with a coating of humour. So humour is also a reader-friendly interface for the teller of grim tales.

Some of your writings, e.g., The Ghost of Sani Abacha seems too direct; do you fear cases of defamation of character?

Well, I suppose that when you are in the business of defaming ghosts you must make friends with some good exorcists...

But seriously, every writer must stand in dread of the defamation suit. A professional writer does not have any extra rights to malign, than the general population. And every citizen has a right to the reputation that he has earned. This is why defending a reputation is a little like opening up an interesting cupboard... and why the satirist’s theatre of choice is fiction.

How far do you think a writer can go in terms of poetic licence?

If society requires beauty of her artists, then that society would do well to grant them the artistic licence to perfect that beauty. But the artist’s licence ends where the citizen’s rights begin. We must wield the pen, as with every other instrument of creation and destruction, with responsibility. If I can destroy, should I?

Most of your works could be described as protest writing; why do you engage in such writing?

I suspect you would have to define ‘protest writing’ very broadly to classify most of my writing under that category. But then, my job is to write, not to classify. But when I am creating a story I do my best to dress every instinct of protest in order to pass. Telling a tale is very like attending a party. You are expected to come in festive uniform. If you turn up in your mechanic’s overalls, you may be the celebrant’s blood brother, but you will receive a frosty welcome. Ditto protest writing. In the party of creative writing your ‘protests’ have to be dressed in the idiom of entertainment, or they will have to watch the party from the outside.

In my activist writings though, I do not short-change the passions that inspire me. I am passionate about a better Nigeria. I am also passionate about the changes we have to midwife to bring about that new reality.

Must a writer engage in such writing, i.e. criticising socio-political realities, to be described as a committed writer?

Certainly not. Every man, woman, child must determine what race to run, or indeed whether to run a race or not. It is presumption for anyone to stipulate to another what to do with his or her talents. If a writer chooses to drive socio-political change, that is only one face of reality. There are a hundred and one other things that are worthy of effort, of enterprise. Every time you sit down to a meal of eba in okra soup, it is your prayer, isn’t it, that behind that soup is a committed chef. If passion and commitment is in high demand in kitchens, in workshops, in lecture halls, how much more in other theatres of literature. So, to every writer his own purpose. The only obligation a good writer has is to write the best that she can. If she does that, she is a committed writer.

You’ve been reading your works across Nigeria; why did you embark on such project?

Well, having written, I want to be read. So this tour is a fillip to our wheezing book distribution. It is not just a Nigerian tour though. In addition to Asaba, Enugu, Lagos, Ibadan, Makurdi, Abuja, and Kaduna, I have already visited six cities in England: London, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool, Bournemouth - and Swansea in Wales. In the next few months I plan to visit other Nigerian cities as well as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, en route to the 26 cities billed for 2012. 

Beyond talking to my readers, I am also listening to them. To tell the story of your country you have to know your country. The writerly life is sometimes an arid one, and the hurly-burly of this project brings a little more ferment to the creative process, I think.

Also around the country I am meeting writers and thinkers, and forging networks and alliances that we need to take us to a place better than where we are.

How would you describe the result of the reading exercise so far?

Inspirational. Certainly I have introduced my books to people who would perhaps not have known about them. But beyond that I am also meeting a new generation of Nigerian literary people. I am inspired anew by the breath of the talent that we have. And impressed by the work we need to put in to turn that potential into power.

From Nigerian Pidgin to Naija Langwej: A Writers’s Crusade for a Home grown Lingua Franca

Edwin Eriata Oribhabor, since he berthed on the literary sphere in Nigeria with the publication of his book Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem in the year 2011,has not relented in his quest to make Nigerians take Pidgin English seriously as a language of literary and general communication. He has been using the print, electronic and the social media to highlight the fact that what is generally known as Nigerian pidgin has since transformed to a standardised form that is now called the Naija Langwej. He has followed up his crusade by editing an anthology of poems in Naija Langwej, contributed to by writers from across the country, entitled If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin, which was presented to the public on 19^th April, 2012, at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.  In this interview with Denja Abdullahi, Eriata Orhibhabor, who was born, raised and ‘kpakod’ in Warri, South-South Nigeria, and who works  at the Department of Petroleum Resources, Abuja,  as the Team Leader, Public Affairs Section, bares his mind  on his passion for the promotion of Nigerian pidgin as a language of  contemporary literary writings.
Why did you decide to become an advocate of writing in Nigerian Pidgin?

Nigerian pidgin is unarguably the most popular mode of communication in Nigeria. Available statistics from IFRA-Nigeria, and as mentioned at the last conference on Nigeria pidgin in Ibadan, Nigeria, 2009, more than 30 million Nigerians speak it. As a country of not less 140 million in population, with over 250 ethnic groups, Nigerian pidgin is a neutral bridge between the multi-ethnic people of Nigeria. Wherever Nigerians from different ethnic groups meet anywhere, they either communicate in English language or Nigerian pidgin. The growing popularity in the use of the language could be testified to in its usage in the media, arts and entertainment in Nigeria. It is the best alternative employed by blue chip companies to reach out to the mass of Nigerians in selling their products, programmes and policies. In the political front, politicians use it in soliciting for votes from Nigerians irrespective of ethnic background as well as in educating them on their programmes. Today, pidgin is used in prime events across the country and has gradually become a language of all whether low or high class. A very important angle to this is that, foreigners have identified this and are quietly keying in to effectively understand Nigerians.

Your book Abuja Na Kpangba, what is it all about?

The book Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem is a collection of poems in Naija langwej. The poems are highly philosophical and speak on a wide range of issues pertaining to life and living from the socio-economic and political perspectives. It was co-published by IFRA-Nigeria and myself in 2010.

How has the book been received since it was published?

Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem was widely reviewed in major newspapers across the country. Although it has not been formally presented to the public, it is gaining popularity within the literary community. The Abuja Literary Society (ALS), Abuja, helped in this regard by featuring me at her Book Jam event which held at the Silver Bird Galleria, Abuja, last year. Some days back, the Silver Bird Lifestyle Bookshop ran out of copies and called for my attention. Interestingly, most embassies in Abuja are already asking for copies which signposts the fact that the future is bright for Naija langwej literature.

What led you into this present project of editing an anthology of poems in Nigerian Pidgin, which you entitled If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin? What is the book all about?

If Yu Hie Se A De Prizin is an anthology of poems originally written in Pidgin English by the contributing poets but translated to Naija langwej. This was made known to all poets because the project was essentially to promote the course of advancing Pidgin English into a recognisable and accepted form of literary communication. It is a culmination of efforts at popularising the Naija Langwej as a medium of writing among Nigerian writers. The anthology contains 93 poems written by 32 poets. The themes of the poems span all fields of human endeavour; love, politics, the environment, corruption and the Niger Delta discourse amongst others. It is expected that the anthology will definitely elevate the status of Naija from a low prestige and non-standard language to a high one.

Do you think the forthcoming book will make an impact on the reading public and the literary society?

Based on positive responses received so far on my first effort; Abuja na Kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem, I envisage the same for this book which is set to change the landscape of a neglected genre of Nigerian literature – Nigerian Pidgin. If orders for my first book were received from abroad, I expect more for this book especially as it is an anthology. I also expect that the contributing poets will join in the vanguard of taking the message to the people and the literary society in Nigeria and overseas.

 What is the difference between Nigerian Pidgin and Naija Langwej?

When various essential inputs from the multi-ethnic composition of Nigeria began to receive recognition in spoken Pidgin English in Nigeria, the language evolved into Nigerian Pidgin. Today, Nigerian pidgin is being developed into a Naija langwej backed by an orthography put together by Naija langwej Akedemi to guide the spellings of Naija words. By this development, the language status will be upped and it shall be accessible to all irrespective of race just like any other language. While Nigeria Pidgin was a Pidgin, Naija langwej is a language. You might say Pidgin is a language which is true but limited in scope in all ramifications and without orthography.

What would you say to the perception that the Nigerian Pidgin or Naija Langwej is not a language of serious discourse or communication?

In his review of this book, Segun Ozique said amongst others that, this book is ‘‘an attempt to engage with the social order in an alternative discourse. That is, in presenting its subject matter which is – Nigeria, its people and their unifying language – within a Naija and, or, English as a state language space. What favours the principal position of the preferred language used for this collection is that English language is not the number one habitual language in majority of Nigerian homes and not the dominant medium of communication in the everyday play ground or trade but the Naija langwej named variously as ‘pidgin’ is. And so, in the struggle to contest the privileging discourse of making English the official institutional language, there is need to go beyond the simple counter-identification of encouraging the use of the three main Nigerian regional languages to an alternate discourse that can effectively argue directly for a construct of a Nigeria language.” The perception of some people is that, Nigerian pidgin is not a language of serious discourse or communication. This may be true if you look at it from the perspective of a standardised language backed by orthography. This is not going to be the case with Naija langwej because, it is a language like any other language.

Do you think Naija Langwej has any prospect of becoming a national lingua franca?

As a langwej backed by orthography, Naija langwej has great prospects in becoming an official lingua franca in Nigeria. More so, it is generally referred to as Nigeria’s un-official lingua franca.

People also say Nigerian Pidgin has no standard version. What would you say to this as I could see in your writings that you seem to be championing the adoption of a standardised orthography?

One of the outcomes of the last Conference of Nigerian Pidgin organised by IFRA-Nigeria was Naija langwej Akedemi which packaged orthography for Naija, a word coined at this conference. Why the word Naija you may want to ask. It is yet the most popular word or coinage for Nigeria whether for good or bad. Therefore, its adoption as the name of the new language was very appropriate. If you say, you speak Naija anywhere in the world, you will be understood perfectly. Even foreigners enjoy mentioning it.

You also write a weekly column for Leadership Newspaper promoting the Naija Langwej, what are the feedbacks you have been receiving since you started the column?

Since the debut of this column, the responses I have been receiving show that the language has a future in the literary world. As for every day speaking, we all know that the language is the most widely spoken. The only challenge has been that of a standardized spelling which the orthography is addressing.

What future role do you envisage for the Naija Langwej in our educational institutions and in the larger society?

IF Yu Hie Se A de Prizin will go places alongside Abuja na kpangba an Oda Puem-Dem and there is hope that they will become materials of study in higher institutions that offer courses in linguistics and African languages in Nigeria.

Rhythms of life and death

SUMAILA UMAISHA’s review of IFY OMALICHA’s collection of poems, Now that dreams are Born, published by Kraftgriots, 2011, p.141.

The Nigerian literary scene is fast becoming famous for churning out promising writers. Ify Omalicha, a master’s degree holder in Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, is a veritable proof of this fact. Her new collection of poems, Now that Dreams are Born, does not only portray her as an imaginative poet but a promising writer on a highway to international limelight.

This collection, which is the third of her poetry works, could be described as the best of her works so far in terms of the packaging and the contents. Kraftgriots publisher, no doubt, did an extra work on the book; very artistic cover design and reader-friendly prints on quality paper. The 64 poems of varying lengths and forms, covering 130 pages, are great works of arts in every sense of the word. Usually in a collection of this size one would find many pieces that are substandard. But this collection seems to break that ugly rule; every poem is worth the space it occupies, making every page of the book a delight.

Poetry accessibility has always been a subject of debate. While some critics feel the more difficult a poem is the more it portrays the intellectual stuff the poet is made of, others feel the less inaccessible a poem is the more popular the poet and the poem would be. In this collection, Omalicha seems to balance the equation; she is simple without being simplistic and deep without being difficult. In fact, some of the works are so deceptively straightforward that just when the reader thinks he has grabbed the message at the first reading, he begins to see other hidden layers of imports and connotations unfolding in the subsequent reading of the same works.

Thematically, the poems cut across every facet of human situations, particularly the place of man in the celestial and material scheme of things. In specific term, the poet’s major preoccupation is birth and death and their consequences on human existence. This is well captured in the first poem in the collection, ‘You have come’. Some lines of the first stanza of the poem, which is in six parts and spans 7 pages, 14 to 20, speaks more of life-making than love-making thus:

When the night squints in slumber
When the night’s snooze lingers longer
Men dig for new life in the loins of maidens
……….

The walls are deaf to the groans of passion
Calling for escape
Men and maidens ruffle their mats
Their veins pant in their bones
Bones quake in their marrow
Blood boils hot in its pipe
Bound in ecstasy
They touch the heart of bliss.

What comes after birth is the poet’s subject-matter in the poem titled ‘Paradise Path’ on page 24:

... running down the river bank
Frolicking
Buttocks bared
Whistling tuneless melodies
that spurn the strings of a guitar
Where is paradise?
…………….

Paradise is living through
the passage of time
under the wary guard of those
who have walked the path of Paradise.

While speaking of life and death, the image of mother and child runs through most of the lines. On page 30 to 31, for instance, two poems, ‘My Mother’s Sweetness’ and ‘Nnenne m’ speak of mother’s love for her child. In the same vein, ‘The Child and the Coo Coo Bird’ (p.48), ‘They say I’m Lost’ (p.106), drive home the vital roles of the mother in the life of the child.

Some critics have observed that Omalicha’s style of writing bears a striking resemblance to that of the renowned poet, John Pepper Clark. ‘The Child and the Coo Coo Bird’ seem to confirm the assertion, for, both in form and content this poem sounds like Clark’s famous ‘Streamside Exchange’. Read these lines:

O sweet child
Why do you giraffe
Through the window crying all day long?

O Coo coo bird
Why do you stay over the fence
Singing all day long?

My mother went
To the stream to fill her pot
Just like your mother….

Like most writers, Omalicha draws her inspiration from personal experiences, hence some of the poems in this collection read like versed autobiographies. The poems, ‘When I was Born’ (p.27) and ‘Passing Through this Door’ substantiate this reality. The second stanza of ‘When I was Born’ reads:

She called me Omalicha
The name of a beautiful soul
Chanted to bring forth the season of rain
When I was born.

Those who know the poet would agree that the struggle, hope and determination expressed in ‘Passing Through this Door’ is quite characteristic of her. These traits could be seen in her struggles as a student in the University of Ibadan, in her performances as a professional theatrical performer and, above all, in her production of this unique collection.

Apart from the themes, which are universal, timeless and particularly relevant to the prevailing social realities, the poet’s application of poetic devices also contributes to the artistic finesse of the work. Techniques like alliteration, personification, oxymoron, etc, are appropriately deployed towards making the collection a rare work of art.

Omalicha is equally very experimental in her forms; some of the poems are written in such a way that their structures add to the imagery of work. A good example is the second stanza of the poem, ‘I Am Running’ (page 80):

I am r
          u
              n
                n i n g
           
R u n
           n i
               n
                  g
out of ant-holes
Into boundless meadows….

With this form, the reader could ‘actually see’ the running – helter-skelter – out of ant-holes! If a picture speaks more than a thousand words, as they say, then Omalicha’s form speaks more than a thousand verses.

In terms of language, the poet’s style is equally exceptional; she writes in standard and pidgin English as well as Igbo, her native language. Some of the poems, like ‘Chere m’ (p.89) and ‘Kpam Kpam’ (p.90) are written entirely in Igbo, while ‘Wetin I dey Talk?’ is written in pidgin.

While some critics may see her use of indigenous language as a shortcoming that tends to block readers who do not understand Igbo from enjoying the entire collection, other might view it as an aesthetic spice that offers those educated only in the Igbo language the opportunity to share in the noble messages of the poet.

Omalicha’s Now that Dreams are Born would have indeed been a perfect work but for some few typographical errors. For instance, the line, ‘nibble at the rim your sleep’ (p. 91) should have been ‘nibble at the rim of your sleep’, ‘You fills the pages of our lives’(p.93) is supposed to be ‘You fill the pages of our lives’, while ‘Wearing a hoodover a dark face’ (p.126) ought to have been ‘Wearing a hood over a dark face’. It is hoped that the author would get rid of these blemishes in the subsequent edition of the collection.

By and large, this work is a must-read, because, as the famous poet, Niyi Osundare, put it, it is “informed by a wise, rooted consciousness…” capable of appealing to the intellect and emotion of both literary scholars and the reading public. In this book, Omalicha has indeed given us “a voice to cherish and dreams to share”.

(c) published in the New Nigerian newspaper edition of 28/1/12

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 for the association. In the keenly contested election, the incumbent president, DR. JERRY AGADA, lost to Professor REMI RAJI by only three votes. In this interview with SUMAILA UMAISHA, conducted shortly after the election, he spoke his mind about the exercise.

Question: How would you describe the election?

Dr. Jerry Agada: Well, the election was very good, very interesting. It has been keenly fought and won. And I’m happy that I went down fighting to the best of my ability.

Professor Remi Raji defeated you by only three votes; you could have knocked off this insignificant margin. What went wrong?

I saw my agent there; he was complaining. He said during the counting he saw that Professor Olu Obafemi, one of the electoral officials, picked two or three ballot papers at a time. So he was protesting that they should recount, but they refused. He protested to everybody, he sent text to Odia Ofeimun and to me. He met Professor Sam Okala, chairman of the electoral committee, but he said no, he is not re-counting. So if they had recounted… But no problem, I’m not complaining.

In that case, you wouldn’t say this election was free and fair?

Well, that is what my agent said; because he insisted on recounting if there was no foul play.

Now that it has turned out this way, what is your wish for ANA?

My wish for ANA is progress. You know, like I said in my speech at the AGM, ANA is something that I have passion for, ANA is in my blood. It is even now that I will work harder for ANA, if they come to me for anything, like I have been doing. When Dr. Wale Okediran was the president was I not the one at background providing support? The new EXCO can come to me for any assistance; I’m not that kind of person, I will do my best. I’m a different person with a different orientation; I will continue to be doing my best for ANA. Like I have repeatedly explained, there is no president of ANA that has shown commitment to ANA than I have done. Have you ever seen in the history of an ANA convention where the president bankrolled the whole thing? The Local Organising Committee did not come with one naira. The national EXCO didn’t have anything. And I wanted the convention to hold, because by my own conscience, I felt that if the election was not held somebody somewhere would say, ‘you cancelled the conference so that election will not take place’. That was why I went out of my way to show that commitment so that it will hold.

Finally, what’s your message to ANA members, particularly the newly elected EXCO?

My message to ANA members is to please cooperate with the new EXCO. ANA is something that can be managed with cooperation. If there is no cooperation things will not work properly. So my advice to ANA members is that they should please give them support. And for the new EXCO… you know, they came in with acrimony, insulting people up and down; for the past five months they have been sending text messages everyday insulting personalities like me, they should behave responsibly. Did you see one day that I replied them? I never, because I knew for sure that they didn’t know what they were doing. Now that they have come, the taste of the pudding is in the eating. So I think the way they have come in they should now demonstrate their commitment by carrying ANA to greater height. I will support them as a person. And I want other members to support them too. And they themselves should not claim to have monopoly of ideas; let them be receptive to ideas from other members so that together ANA would be moved greater height.

(c) published in the New Nigerian edition of 11/12/11.

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

2011 ANA Convention: A Monumental Failure!

                                A cross-section of delegates at the convention

The haunting memories of this year’s International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, which took place in Abuja from Wednesday 30th November to Sunday 4th December, will linger on for a very long time. The event was so poorly organized that even the organizers could not help admitting it was a monumental failure. “Surely, it was not good,” said Dr. Seyi Adigun, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, LOC – a euphemistic way of reaffirming the view of Dr. Jerry Agada, the erstwhile president of the association, under whose leadership the event was organized. He had said in one of his remarks at the occasion: “This is a serious failure.”

A serious failure indeed, for apart from the fact that most of the items on the programme of activities were not fully executed, some of those executed were done haphazardly, thereby subjecting members of the association who had come from the various chapters across the country to unnecessary confusion and hardship.

The delegates had come full of expectations because the General Secretary, Mr. Hyacinth Obunseh, had assured it was going to be a convention like no other. “We have an extra day added to our usual four days, to make five,” he had said in an interview with this reporter a few days to the convention. “We will have our usual cocktail on arrival, opening ceremony, convention drama, sight-seeing, plenary sessions, dinner/awards ceremony and then for a change, we are bringing a musical group from one of our branches to entertain members. And one or two other innovations.”

But it all ended on paper. From day one of the convention, things started sagging, by the second day the programme began to spin out of control and by the end of the event the whole thing had degenerated into what some delegates described as the biggest flop in the history of ANA convention. “It was a flop, a total failure,” said Mr. Aseidu Sarpong, a member of Kaduna State branch of ANA and one of the judges of ANA literary prizes. “Since I became ANA member in 1990, this is my first time of experiencing this kind of convention.”

As usual, the conference began with the registration of delegates. At Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre, Area 10, Garki, the arrival point, delegates were in a happy mood, welcoming colleagues as they registered. But the ecstasy was short-lived as some could not get the usual conference bags. “They are finished, we will provide more later,” explained one of the registration officials. That promise was never fulfilled. Nor did Hyacinth’s promise of “We will have our usual cocktail on arrival,” see the light of day. No cocktail, no festival of life that were scheduled to be held at the arrival venue; and it was getting dark. So after lingering on for a while without any official explanation on what to do, delegates thought it wise to go their assigned hotels.

Some were lodged in Reiz Continental Hotel, Central Business Area, others were lodged in far away hotels in suburban areas like Kuba and Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

The following day, delegates were somehow compensated for the initial disappointment with a befitting opening ceremony from 10.00 am at the Continental Hall of Reiz Continental Hotel. The hall was filled to capacity some delegates had to stand throughout the entire programme.

Highlights of the event included speeches by the Chairman of Abuja ANA, Dr. Seyi Adigun, ANA President, Dr. Jerry Agada, representative of Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chairman of the occasion, celebrity reading by Gabriel Okara, cutting of ANA at 30th anniversary cake by the LOC chairman and exco members, and presentation of the keynote address by Professor Tanure Ojaide.

The keynote address, which was on the theme of the convention; “Home Coming: African Literature and Human Debvelopment”, highlighted vividly the roles of African literature in human development and the numerous problems faced by the African writer. A renowned poet, multiple award winner and professor of Literature, Ajaide held everyone spellbound as he eloquently discussed the subject-matter. Donnis Chikere of Katsina State chapter of ANA was particularly impressed by the presentation. “In terms of interacting intellectually and sharing ideas, I think the convention was okay despite the shortcomings,” he observed. “The keynote address by Tanure Ojaide was particularly interesting as it highlighted the problems of writers.”

Formal opening of book exhibition rounded off the opening ceremony. And thereafter, the programme nosedived again. All the other activities slated for the day did not hold and there was no explanation as to why they didn’t hold. No plenary session, no musical performance that was to be presented by the Anambra State branch of ANA, and no dance drama, ‘One is Vortex’, which was scheduled to be performed by the TV College, Jos.

Delegates shuffled back to their hotels at the end of the day, feeling cheated. But while some grumbled, die-hard optimists looked forward to a better tomorrow. When the tomorrow came, however, they longed for yesterday! For, the whole day-three of the convention was wasted. The literary roundtable that was to take place from 10am at Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre was not even talked about. And the scheduled Read and Ride Tour to Gurara Falls slated for 2 pm only took place in the imagination, as delegates were merely directed to the desolate Millennium Park and left there like sheep without a shepherd.

Describing the situation, Mr. Chikere said, “After the opening ceremony, I think the programme they gave us became obsolete because it became like they had a new programme that was not written. We were just following sheepishly, moving from venue to venue. We were in several venues doing things that were not planned. And the hosts in most cases were not there to take us through the programme.”

Binta Spkin of Kano State branch of ANA was also irritated by the experience. “It was a bitter experience, the way we were left like refugees at the Millennium Park,” she fumed.

Those who could not take it any longer returned to their respective homes before the end of the convention. One of them was Dr. Adamu Kyuka Usman, a member of Kaduna State chapter of ANA. Though his novel was on the shortlist of ANA literary prize, he had to leave because, according to him, “the event was not well organized in terms of accommodation of delegates to the convention and in terms of even the activities”.

However, the excitement that was lacking on the third day of the convention was made up by the heady activity of the fourth day, which was the election of new executive council of the national body of ANA. Everyone seemed to be so excited about the election that the Annual General Meeting, AGM, became a mere appendage of the day’s programme.

The AGM, which was originally scheduled to hold at Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre eventually took place at the Raw Material Research and Development Council, Maitama. As usual, minutes of last AGM was read, matters arising from the minutes were discussed; the General Secretary’s report and those of the Treasurer and Auditor were also read. Issues like the ANA land in Abuja, which has been a court case, were discussed. The need for ANA chapters to submit their reports a few days to convention were also highlighted. Then all other discussions centred more or less on election campaigns. During his opening remarks, the president expressed his displeasure over the way “some faceless campaigners for membership of ANA EXCO” used text messages to insult him. He also took a long time explaining why the convention turned out the way it did, pointing finger at the LOC members. As a president, he said, he had done enough by loaning the LOC over N2 million to organize the event.

The LOC chairman equally took time to explain to the audience why they failed. It wasn’t his fault, he said. “The convention was well conceptualized, we had a credible team, the situation was that we had to execute the convention under stringent circumstances. Under the circumstances, I think we tried our best to ensure that the convention took place properly.” He said the problem was caused by lack of funds. “We were not able to get funds. In terms of cash, we got less than four hundred naira 48 hours to the convention. Niger State government promised us two million naira which they later said was one million. Till this moment they haven’t redeemed it. Professor Remi Raji promised us one million naira; all of these have not been redeemed. All we got were promises; it was on the basis of those promises that we accepted a loan from Dr. Agada. We succeeded in convincing him to part with the loan a day before the arrival of delegates… less than 24 hours to the arrival of delegates.” He added that Agada may likely not be paid back his loan because, “even as I’m talking to you we’ve not been able to convert those promises to cash.”

Ahmed Maiwada, who was a member of the LOC believes that the failure in securing sponsorship was as a result of the LOC’s reliance and confidence in funds from the federal government and many of its agencies. In an interview with this reporter, he said, “Several letters were signed by the Chairman and Secretary of Abuja chapter and sent to the presidency, CBN, the Senate President, a few ministries and government agencies. So much follow up was made, following the letters. But after raising much hope, the presidency was not forthcoming at all, and even cut off all communications with the Chairman. The CBN replied to indicate their apology due to lack of funds. There was no response from the other expected sources.”

Maiwada added that the matter was worsened by the fact that Agada himself was not forthcoming with his promise of using his contacts to assist in breaking the thick ice. “And so, the convention date had to be moved forward by one month, hoping that the situation would change. It never did till the second date fixed for the event fell through.”

Mr. Odoh Diego Okenyodo was initially the chairmn of the LOC, but he later resigned. Explaining his resignation, he said, “I resigned because ANA Abuja Chairman, Dr. Seyi Adigun, was bent on not running a transparent and accountable management of funds. He frustrated the account opening for the LOC and decided to print separate letterhead papers to send requests for funds without recourse to the LOC or me as LOC Chairman. I said I wouldn’t be a party to that and unfortunately, Dr. Jerry Agada couldn’t persuade Adigun to behave well.”

At last, the arguments were laid to rest to pave way for the other items on the agenda, which included electing the hosting chapter of the next convention, constituting the electoral committee and conducting the election. Akwa-Ibom State chapter won the hosting right in spite of the eloquent manner Odia Ofeimun, former president of ANA, and the Lagos ANA chapter chairman campaigned for the Lagos hosting.

This was followed by the nomination of electoral umpires. Dr. May Ifeoma Nwoye and Professor Olu Obafemi emerged members of the electoral committee, with Professor Sam Okala as the chairman. Thereafter, the EXCO was dissolved and the election held.

The electoral Tsunami was quite unprecedented as almost all the members of the executive lost their seats. The usual courtesy of allowing the incumbent EXCO members ‘automatic’ second term was completely jettisoned. Agada was knocked down with three votes. Professor Remi Raji got 114 votes while he got 111. For the post of Vice President, Denja Abdullahi beat Sunnie Ododo 113 - 100, while BM Dzukogi got 123 votes to defeat Hyacinth Obunseh and Jare Ajayi.

The post of Assistant Secretary went to Tanko Okoduwa while PRO North and PRO South went to Richard Ugbede Ali and Greg Mbajorgu, respectively. The new Finacial Secretary is Chinyere Iwuana Obi-Obasi and the Treasurer is Joy Esuku. Hyeladzira Balami and Ahmed Maiwada were elected unopposed, to the posts of Auditor and Legal Adviser, respectively. Ex-officios are; Binta Spikin, Ngozi Chuma Udeh, Sunday Afolayan and Hyacinth Obunseh.

In an interview with this reporter shortly after the election, Agada described the exercise as very interesting. “The election was very good, very interesting. It has been keenly fought and won. And I’m happy that I went down fighting to the best of my ability,” he said.

He, however, observed that the election wasn’t quite free and fair. “I saw my agent there; he was complaining. He said during the counting he saw that Professor Olu Obafemi picked two or three ballot papers at a time. So he was protesting that they should recount, but they refused. He protested to everybody; he sent text to Odia Ofeimun and to me, he met Professor Sam Okala, but he said no, he is not re-counting.” In his characteristic manner, he added, “But no problem, I’m not complaining,” and pledged to work with the new EXCO for the success of the association. “You know, like I said in my speech at the AGM, ANA is something that I have passion for, ANA is in my blood. It is even now that I will work harder for ANA, if they come to me for anything.”

He also advised the EXCO to shun acrimony, which according to him, was displayed in the course of campaigning, and be receptive to ideas from other members so that together ANA would be moved to greater height.

The new president described his victory as 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 appreciation to all those who believe that we are capable of leading ANA in this crucial time.”

On the question of whether the election was free and fair or not, Raji said Agada “can’t claim irregularity” because it was he who “brought in students to vote for him.” He, however, pledged to carry everyone along. “We welcome the support of everyone, we can’t ostracize anyone.”

After the inauguration of the new EXCO, the convention lost direction again. The dinner/awards ceremony originally scheduled to take place from 7 pm at NICON Luxury Hotel, Garki, didn’t hold there. In fact, most of the delegates, including Agada, were roaming the premises of the hotel looking for dinner tables when someone called that the event had been shifted to Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

By the time delegates got to Sheraton, everyone was fagged out. The stress was exacerbated by the rowdiness of the place. Foods were set, but the hall was like a market place - in fact, a ship without a captain. There was no such thing as opening prayers or remarks by the new president. No one expected the usual musical interlude and the scheduled address by the Guest Speaker, Dr. Babangida Muazu Aliyu, governor of Niger State. Because even the announcement of winners of ANA prizes, which is usually the main reason for the dinner, was not done!

The drama reached a crescendo when some delegates, on getting back to their hotels, were held hostage by the hotel management on the ground that the accommodation bills had not been paid. Narrating her experience, Binta Spikin, who was among those lodged at Sa’abhi Hotel, in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, said, “The most unpleasant experience was when we came back to our hotel after dinner to meet our rooms locked up. We were prevented from entering because, according to the management of the hotel, the accommodation fee was not paid. They prevented us from even carrying our belongings from the rooms. We were held hostage till after 1 am.”

In the case of those who were lodged in Amazak Hotel, in Mararaba, they were allowed to have a restful night. The trouble began in the morning when they were set to depart. While the Delta State chapter delegates managed to escape by leaving very earlier in the morning, Katsina State delegates were not so lucky. The gates were shut as they made to drive out in their bus. They were held hostage for hours before the new president and his team came to their rescue. Similar ugly incidents took place in virtually all the hotels where delegates were lodged.

For many of the delegates, the convention was quite a harrowing experience. The only saving grace, according to Odia Ofeimun, was that it produced “a new executive that appears to have enough self-respect not to accept business as usual – a generational change in leadership that I hope would have the courage and creativity to move from the recent ineptitude and build upon the abandoned ambitions of the founding fathers and mothers of ANA”. He advised the new EXCO to ensure that the association is refocused. “We need to return to having a proper secretariat, serious programming that rates literature above the personal grubbing for personal property by ANA chieftains. It is time to make the Writers’ Village a reality beyond the incompetent projection of those angling to sell part of the ANA land in Abuja to feather partial interests against present and future generations.”

Labo Yari, one of the trustees of ANA, also advised ANA members to be less partisan and concentrate more on issues that would enhance their creativity. “It is like these days people join ANA only to become members of the EXCO. This is wrong because there is no reason why a writer should be so concerned about positions in the EXCO. We should concentrate on writing; we should concentrate on discussing the problems of writers.” He further admonished that only chapters who are ready to host the annual convention should bid for it, to avoid a repeat of the Abuja experience.

ANA Prize winners

The list of the winners of this year’s ANA prizes was later sent to the press by the new Secretary General. According the Jury, a total of 137 entries across nine categories spanning the genres of poetry, drama and prose for were received for the Awards. The entries were received from writers resident both in Nigeria and abroad. Several entries were published abroad, some of them dealing with the experience of migrant Nigerians. The winning entries are as follows:

1. ANA/NDDC Flora Nwapa Prize for Women’s Writing (N100,000) – Twilight at Terracotta Indigo by Umari Ayim.

2. ANA/JACARANDA Prize for Prose (N50,000) – Sieged by Adamu Kyuka Usman.

3. ANA/Chevron Prize for Prose on Environmental Issues ($2,000). In the case of this category, even established writers did not send in entries that agree with the criteria for environmental writing. Only one merits being shortlisted. The award goes to: The Poacher’s Daughter by J. C. Agunwamba.

4. ANA/NDDC Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize For Prose (N100,000) - The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin.

5. ANA/NDDC Gabriel Okara Prize for Poetry (N100,000). No award is made. However, three entries merit honorable mention. These are: The Ant Eaters by Kufre Ekanem, Colourless Rainbow: Poetry of My Childhood by Senator Ihenyen and My River by C. Otobotekere.

6. ANA/James Ene Henshaw Prize for Playwriting (N150,000). Nine entries were received; 3 published and 6 unpublished. The winning entry is The Scent of Crude Oil by Eni Jologho Umuko.

7. ANA/NDDC JP Clark Prize for Drama (N100,000). 22 entries were received. The winning entry is Ogidi Mandate by Olu Obafemi .

8. ANA/Cadbury Prize for Poetry ($1,000). 15 entries received. The Beauty I Have Seen by Tanure Ojaide won the prize.

9. ANA/Esiaba Irobi Prize for Playwriting (N50,000) Five entries received. Only one is merits being shortlisted. The award goes to: Casket of Her Dreams by Isaac Attah Ogezi.

The judges for these adult categories were: Professor Chidi T. Maduka, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Victor S. Dugga, University of Jos, Mrs. Maria Ajima, and Benue State University, and Dr. Obododimma Oha, University of Ibadan. 

CHILDREN’S CATEGORY

The team of judges comprises Dr. E. E. Sule of the University of Abuja, as the Chairman, Poet John Asiedu Sarpong of Kaduna, and Professor Virginia Dike of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

According to the chairman, “We were impressed with the quality of work as compared to last year’s entries. In addition to written expression, the themes and content are more appropriate and suitable for children of Nigeria. The physical quality of the published titles is also commendable. Together, there were 24 titles in all the categories of four.” The winning entries are as follows:

ANA/Atiku Abubakar Prize for Children’s Literature – Preye and the Sea of Plastics by Fatima Akilu, and Mayowa and the Masquerade by Lola Shoneyin are joint winners for the prize.

ANA/Funtime for Children (Prose) – Jide Meets a Ghost by Spencer Okoroafor.

ANA/Lantern Books Prize for Children’s Fiction – Chijike by Chinyere Obi-Obasi.

ANA/Mazariyya Prize – No shortlist because of insufficient entries, so there is no winner for the prize.

 

(c) Reported By SUMAILA UMAISHA and published in the 10/12/11 edition of New Nigerian newspaper.

Making the 30th ANA convention memorable

As the International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, draws near, the General Secretary of the association, Mr. Hyacinth Obunseh, in this interview with SUMAILA UMAISHA, speaks on the prepaprations so far. He also speaks on the efforts of the present EXCO to re-posotion the association, calling on members to re-elect them at the convention for a second term in order to complete what they started.

NNW: ANA convention is 30th of this month; how far have you gone with preparations?

Hyacinth Obunseh: Indeed the ANA 30th International Annual Convention is on hand. We have continued to work hard with the Local Branch/Organising Committee to make the celebration a memorable one.

What are the activities lined up for the occasion?

We have an extra day added to our usual four days, to make five. We will have our usual cocktail on arrival, opening ceremony, convention drama, site seeing, plenary sessions, dinner/awards ceremony and then for a change we are bringing a musical group from one of our branches to entertain members. One or two other innovations.

How has it been in terms of funding?

Funding as usual has been our headache! You will recall that the convention should have taken place already, but for funding, which necessitated the Abuja branch to request a shift in date to enable them get some more funds. It has been as bad as always, but we are weathering the storm.

Being the 30th convention, in what way is this one going to be special?

One or two ways, as I have said earlier. We have an extra day added, we have a musical band coming, and then one or two other things we will keep to ourselves for now.

It is also election convention, any possibilty that your team will be given a second term?

Well, the voting members will decide that. On our part, we have served and are willing to serve another two years, finish up the things we started or are about to start, like the Writers Village. We have explained the reasons for the ‘seeming’ inertia. In the end, we have high hopes that the electorate will give us another two years.

There are allegations that the exco’s performance over the two years has not been impressive. What do you say to this?

Well, if one says our first two years in office is not impressive, then it behoves him to be specific. We delivered on our campaign manifesto, except on the ANA land development which we could not have done anything about, seeing that the matter had not been disposed of in the court. As you may well know, judgement will be given on the matter on 29th November. If we are being compared to our predecessors in office, then one would have to look at the financial burden they passed on to us. It was not easy for them either, which is what led to their leaving such financial debt behind.

What problems have you been facing in administering the association?

The same that practically all previous administrations faced! Funding for our projects. There is a general literary arts funding aparthy out there! We have good projects lined up and seeking funds to prosecute, but funds are not forthcoming!

What do you have to say to ANA members regarding your quest for re-election and the convention generally?

Aha! Dear colleagues, in the last two years, my colleagues and I have given of our time and resources to make our dear association better. There are so much we planned to do from the onset, that we have not been able to do yet, due to constraints. After two years, we are in the best position to lead ANA to a better day. Two more years and we would work with the new friends we just made, the old ones that came on board, and the governments (states) we have managed to woo to our side. The world economic recession is not affecting the national body alone, it is also affecting the branches. Take a look at your local branch and you will see that in the last two years, you achieved little, if anything. We want to serve you for another two years and leave with our heads held up high, knowing that we are leaving behind a stronger and better Association.

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, popular culture and creative writing. The Professor of English and African Literature at the University of Ibadan has served as Publicity Secretary, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA. He has also been Editor of the Association’s yearly journal, ANA Review. Now he wants to be the president of the association. In this interview with SUMAILA UMAISHA, he speaks on the forthcoming ANA election holding at the international conference of the association coming up on 30th November, 2011, which he hopes will usher him to the exalted seat. He also speaks on the problems of ANA and how he intends to tackle them when he eventually gets the seat.

NNS: Tell us briefly about yourself.

Remi Raji: My name is Remi Raji, which is a simple reduction of my formal name – Aderemi Raji-Oyelade. I was born in Ibadan in 1961 to a family of artisans and farmers, extended from one of the major progenitors of the huge war-camp by the Savannah which lends its name to the city. I had primary and secondary education in both Islamic and Christian mission schools and completed my Higher School Certificate in 1981 at the prestigious Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo. That same year, I entered the University of Ibadan to study English with secondary interests in Communication and Theatre Arts. I graduated with a Second Class Upper degree in 1984, a Master of Art in Literature in 1986, and a PhD in 1994 from the same University. I have been a lecturer since then, teaching, researching and publishing in the areas of literary theory, African and African American Literatures, popular culture and creative writing. I became a full Professor of English and African Literature in 2007.

I have edited or guest-edited, co-edited over ten books, and published five collections of poetry apart of other appearances in journals, e-journals, and literary festivals in Africa, Europe and America.

What prompted you to decide to contest for the post of president of ANA?

A time comes when a man sits and reflects on his work, his interests, his legacy and his value in society. A time comes when you begin to query your own significance vis-a-vis the more enduring project of the literary tradition to which you belong. I reflected on the drift, negative I will say, in the direction of the Association of Nigerian Authors to which I belong. At the local level, I have served as Publicity Secretary, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of ANA; I have also been Editor of the Association’s yearly journal, called ANA Review; and I have been a communiqué writer for the 2004 Congress in Lokoja, as well as co-editor of the collection of short stories to commemorate the 2008 Congress in Minna. Those were tangential and secondary works for the association at the national level.

I have been an unacknowledged or non-commissioned critic of the activities of ANA over time, believing that we are running half-steam at a certain time, believing that we have not been able to harness and exploit all our God-given talents to serve ANA and put it where it rightly belongs in the scheme of art administration, not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent. More recently, I shudder at the grim fact that ANA has suffered real inactivity. So if we complained of running half-steam some years ago, we are talking of running without feet, and flying without wings at the present time. No well-meaning member of ANA who is capable of delivering should sit down and watch the gallery of inertia and anarchy continues.

This was what prompted me to contest for the post of the President of ANA, believing that I have garnered enough experience over the years to deliver, believing that I have associated with the best minds in creative writing/arts administration all over the world to know what to do. We do have the main elements – an eager youth willing to do well if they get the right direction and encouragement. I want to do that, not alone, but with others who believe in my abilities.

Do you think you know much about the workings of ANA to be able to solve its problems?

As I said earlier, it does not take much to know the workings and the problems of association like ANA, but it does demand so much to be able to know how to solve the problems. The problem currently is that those at the helms of affairs of ANA do not think there is a problem. I have been a member of ANA National since 1988 to know enough about these problems. But even those who are new members, not more than five years in the fold know the problems.

Then would you say are the main problems of ANA?

We have the problem of identity; we have the problem of definition; we have the problem of interest and focus; and indeed, we have one problem that everybody knows, that is the problem of funding. But these other problems which I have identified apart from that of funding are very crucial to the body politic of ANA. We have lost track of the main agenda set forth by Chinua Achebe and his other colleagues at the formation of the association. I am sorry to say that there are many real writers who are no longer part of ANA because of our loss of focus, and because the chicanery laundered by those who have no business being in the loft of the house of writing in the first place. What makes a writer? What are the requisites for a writing tradition, and who should be involved in the administration of a writers’ body? What are the benefits of a writers’ association for the upcoming as well as established author? These are main issues which the current leaders in ANA National have failed to address.

Are you sure you can win the election considering the fact that the incumbent excos still have a term to go?

I am told that there are smses flying around from their stable begging and pleading for a second term, to consolidate on what has been done in the past two years. That enough sounds like an insult to the imagination of a true writer. You cannot consolidate on nothing, nor can you build something on nothing, except if you are in the fictional world of castle-building. Whether I can win the election is actually immaterial. What I have done in the past one year, consistently, is to bring the matter of the state of ANA to public glare. Very few people actually want to discuss it, that we have a secretariat that has been overly corrupted, that we have a presidency that is ineffectual and half-hearted and politicised, that nothing holds at the centre and therefore it has been a free fall of things in the house of writing. It is indeed sad. As for winning the election, I can.

What is your level of preparations for the election?

Let me just say here that I have reached out to all members of ANA in all the state chapters letting them know my intentions, reasons and plans for ANA within the next two years. The electorate will decide. The rest waits till when we get to the venue of the election in Abuja.

Now, specifically, how do you intend to solve the problems when you are elected?

I have noted three major matters to address when elected as President of ANA. We are going to focus on Outreach, Mentoring and Advocacy as a matter of urgency and strategy. Outreach will involve connecting with other organisations related to our own interests, governmental parastatals, corporate organisations, the civil society in need of literary support and collaboration; it is from these that we hope to re-launch ANA. We will also reach out to our potential audience, in secondary and tertiary institutions in hope that we will find market as well as recruits for another generation of Nigerian literatures.

We will make it a rule to get each state chapter to create a Mentor-Author twinning programme in a way that younger writers will benefit by association to ANA. Besides this, we will address the issue of the identity of the writer as member of ANA because we have different cadres of membership – full, associate, honorary and life memberships. We are going to find a place for the younger ones to occupy, although I am aware that one or two state chapters are already ahead in this. We will tap into this.

Also, in the area of Advocacy, we want the voice of ANA to be distinct in the matter of national development; we want to contribute immensely, as writers, as constructive critics, as imaginative people to the literary tradition and by extension we want to mean more than mere decimals in the matter of representations in our country’s culture and information industry.

What do you have to say to ANA members regarding your candidacy?

To the constituency of writers, I offer myself to serve. I am not hesitant in offering myself. I have well thought-out the demands, and the sacrifice of service. So I depend on the vote of every member of the association, from Maiduguri to Asaba, from Lagos to Sokoto, from Kano, Kaduna to Port-Harcourt, from Owerri to Lokoja, and from Makurdi to Abuja. I want all of us to converge in Abuja and use our God-given intelligence as writers, to re-write the history of ANA on its thirtieth anniversary.

FJA joins the race for ANA EXCO membership

FRIDAY JOHN ABBA, former chairman of Kaduna State chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, is a well known name in the Nigerian literary circle for his radical comments on how ANA should be run. Several members of the association have always challenged him to be part of the national exco if he is serious about changing it. Now he is taking up the challenge, contesting for the post of Assistant General Secretary in the election holding at the International Convention of the association this weekend. In this interview with SUMAILA UMAISHA, he reveals his reasons for contesting and his priorities for ANA.


Q: Who is Friday John Abba?
ANS: I was born on the 2nd day of May 1969. That day happened to be a Friday and, so for reasons which I am still trying to figure out, I am called Friday. I was born in Kaduna but soon my civil servant father had to move with us to Nguru, in Yobe State. I had my first taste of formal education at Kasungula Primary School, Nguru. After leaving primary school, I got admitted into the prestigious Nigerian Military School, Zaria (NMS) for my secondary education before going on to study Computer Science at the Kaduna Polytechnic. I worked as a soldier in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State for a while as demanded by my training in NMS. Later I joined the services of Nigerian Tobacco Company which later transmuted into Brittish-American Tobacco Company.

I have been involved with the Rotary International. I became the president of a Rotaract Club at the age of 18 and went on to become the District Rotaract Representative, the highest position a Rotaract member could attain. I was responsible for over a hundred clubs in 19 states and that gave me the opportunity to travel across the country, understanding the people, their cultures, their pains and their triumphs and also identifying ways through which people’s lives could be made better. I joined the Rotary club of Zaria-city and became the president in 2005.

I have been involved severally with government and other agencies. In 2006, I was one of 24 chosen from across Africa to fine tune the Protocol setting up the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

I have since left the services of the tobacco company to start my own concern. First it was House of Abba publishing but this was truncated by my 9months detention in 2007. Today, I have set up Wright Words Consulting, a firm that works with writers to make their manuscripts publishable and to help identify certain other imperatives that make for successful publishing. I also serve on the Board of the Centre for Community Relief Initiatives (CCRI) as the Director of Research and Publications.

I have been involved in literary activities since my days at the polytechnic when I took time every Thursday to meet with the Creative Writers’ Club of the Ahmadu Bello University. I joined the Kaduna Writers’s League where I served as editor for 4years and later served as Vice Chairman and Chairman. I joined the Association of Nigerian Authors in 2001 and have served as Editor of my branch. Today I am the immediate past Chairman of the Kaduna State Branch of the Association of Nigerian Authors.

I am primarily a prose writer and my works have been published severally in anthologies and through other media.

This, I guess, summarizes Friday John Abba.

Why do you want to contest for the post of Assistant General Secretary?

Shortly before the last elections, I wrote about what I thought was an ineffectual election. I looked at the way we ran our campaigns and realized that we were not addressing issues. And the most fundamental of these issues is the structure of the association. I wondered back then, as I do now if any magician could come and build on what is known to have basic structural defects. And like I wrote back then, and still believe, we have to look at the very foundation of the association and work to correct the defects that have inhibited our growth as individual writers and as an organization.

Sometimes I wonder at the fact that all a writer in this country can manage is a paltry print-run of a thousand copies, two third of which end up in shelves that never get visited. I wonder why with a population of about a hundred and sixty seven million people, the Nigerian writer cannot capture just a percentage or 1.6 million. I read about a hundred books each year and I see things. We must address these concerns and I think that my inclusion on the National Exco will enhance my sharing of ideas with the others to chart a course for the Nigerian writer and ANA.

What makes you think you can win?

I really do not see it as a win or lose thing. I think that anyone who has taken the step I am taking does it in an altruistic way. The most important thing here is the association and how we can make it better. If the electorate - and this is an enlightened electorate - see in me their dreams and aspirations then I will definitely be elected. I really think that the Nigerian writer has the capacity to move mountains but we must address the fundamental issues that have held us down here. Through the years I have made my thoughts known to other writers and I am sure that they will also agree that my voice will be of more effect as a member of the Exco.

What will be your priority when you win?

My primary role if elected will be to assist the General Secretary. But beyond this I think that priorities must be the synergy of the workings of the group. Every individual comes with the ideas that will make the association grow and the group prioritizes these ideas. As a member of the Exco, I will endevour to always insist on prioritizing the welfare of the Nigerian writer because the organization is the sum of the individual members. In ANA today, members cannot even pay the paltry five thousand naira annual dues. And come to think of it how many writers net five thousand naira annually from their literary activities in Nigeria? I think that if we address some of these challenges, ANA will grow with its members.

Another area we have neglected is the need to strengthen the state branches of the association. I have always maintained that the effectiveness of ANA lies with the branches. Strong branches will inevitably result in a strong body. This I think, we must look at very seriously.
How prepared are you for the election?

As a matter of fact, I have been a little unprepared in respect of developing the Politian-style campaign. I have spent all the time thinking strategies to make the association better. But I know the people I have chosen to serve. They are intellectuals with the capacity to see beyond the cheap antics of politics and I am sure that the other contestants are aware of these facts. However, I am still getting across to members across the country and sharing my thoughts with them.

What is your message to the electorate?

ANA can be better. Writers in Nigeria can have their books read and they can make a lot of money from their works. And on the election, we must live above petit sentiments and elect into office those who will work with us to make our dreams come true.

Your advice to other contestants

I respect your decisions to run for the various offices and I know that your decisions are borne out of genuine concern for the association. We are not politicians, we are intellectuals who are seeking to make our trade worth the while. We must not allow other considerations to destroy that which we have struggled to keep alive for thirty years.