ANA structured to assist upcoming authors –Denja Abdullahi

Denja Abdullahi, the National President of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has described the association as a platform for upcoming authors to test their creativity and also forge a mutually beneficial relationship with established authors.

Abdullahi stated this over the weekend in an exclusive interview with SECURITY MONITOR’s Special Correspondent, Rowland ‘Shuwa in Ilorin.

According to him, “The structure of ANA itself is designed to assist upcoming authors as it is a platform for upcoming authors to come test their creativity, forge relationship with established authors and get the needed mentoring towards becoming assured in their crafts. A lot of writers who later became popular and great cut their teeth in ANA or were put up for showcase in ANA.

“Many upcoming authors were also first published in ANA in anthologies, journals and reviews. Some were even singly published by ANA. Beyond that ANA has existing mentoring scheme such as Teen Authorship and the Young Writers Mentoring Schemes. ANA also does a lot of literary agency works for upcoming authors.”

Abdullahi who faulted the popular notion that Nigerians have apathy to reading explained that a lot of reading is done by Nigerians both traditionally and online. He however queried the context of the reading done.

He said, “A lot of reading is been done by people traditionally and on-line with the advent of the digital age. What we may query is the kind of reading being done. People read a lot of junks online these days and the good old reading of books for leisure and general awareness is what has gone down. But that can be improved upon if we migrate good stuff to where people are reading and re-introduce the primacy of general interest reading into our schools.”

The ANA president who is also a Director of Performing Arts at the National Council for Arts and Culture, Abuja however lauded for its impact and contributions to raising the level of consciousness for books in the country.

According to him, “In its 36 years of existence ANA has been the most consistent literary association in Nigeria that has done a lot to develop Nigerian literature.ANA is a household name so to say with its outreach programmes to schools and the larger society over the years.

“Daily I receive calls from young and old people trying to find out how to join the Association and benefit from its programmes. Among our numerous programmes, we have been awarding literary prizes all these years and we have not failed to organize a yearly convention rotated across Nigeria and dwelling on germane literary issues of the day for the past 36 years.”

Giving his scorecard for the past two years, Abdullahi said his administration has strengthened communication with the state chapters. “We have uploaded a lot of documents on our revamped website for membership development. We have strengthened communications with the chapters and we have given visibility to a lot of our chapters through the traditional and social media.

“The ANA/Yusuf Ali nationwide literary awareness project that has been on since the year 2012 has greatly enhanced the visibility of our chapters as they regularly receives grants from the project’s fund to carry out activities in their domains. We have also encouraged democratization in the leadership of our chapters and they are stronger than before.

“I have fulfilled my major campaign promises. If you go back to look at my campaign document of 2015 called “The Pragmatic Deliverables” vis a vis my scorecard for the near two years I have been on the job, you will discover I have achieved with my team, not less than 70% of what I promised.

“Some people have even told me, after reviewing our Scorecard which is already a public document on the social media and on our website that we have done too much for just two years. I will certainly be re-contesting for a final term of 2 years.”

On the forthcoming convention of the association which will be taking place in Makurdi between October 26-29, 2017, the president disclosed that some new features at the event will be the flag off of the A-Book-A-Child campaign by the wife of the Imo State Governor, Nkechi Nneoma Rochas Okorocha who is the Key Facilitator.

“There will also be the presentation of a book arising out of the Arrow of God@50 Celebration which took place in 2014.There will also be award of fellowship to three distinguished members of the Association, Prof Sam Ukala, Prof Akachi Ezeigbo and Prof Idris Amali. Of course we will invest two new patrons of the Association in person of the host Governor himself, Dr Samuel Ortom and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Jerry Alagbaoso.

“Beyond all these the Makurdi Convention is being packaged to be culturally thrilling and hospitality will be the best the State got to offer. We shall be showcasing new books and some other new projects to be embarked on by the Association in 2018.”