A Communiqué of the National Executive Council of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) released after its meeting held in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday 5th September, 2020

 

A COMMUNIQUE OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN AUTHORS (ANA) RELEASED AFTER ITS MEETING HELD IN OWERRI, IMO STATE, ON SATURDAY 5^TH SEPTEMBER, 2020

INTRODUCTION

The National Executive Council of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) understands the significance of its mandate at this time. The EXCO appreciates the enormous goodwill and support it has enjoyed from Nigerian writers across the country and the diaspora.

            The EXCO has risen to meet the expectations of its members because it knows it must deepen the country’s tradition of creativity, expand the culture of excellence, and defend the rights of its members. By virtue of its commitment to purpose-driven leadership, the EXCO has been proactive and result-oriented in all its activities so far. It will continue to explore positive ways of running the Association’s business because it is expected that the Association(the largest writers’ community in Africa) should maintain the best standard of operation. The Association has made giant strides in the past; it must make greater strides now and always.

DECLARATION

Following the inaugural meeting of the EXCO, held on Saturday, 5^th September, 2020 to discuss the programmes and activities of its tenure, the EXCO declares as follows:

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1.                  Given that there is only ONE LEADERSHIP and ONE ASSOCIATION, the EXCO urges all members to note that it is in possession of all the instruments of office and that it has opened its door to all members.

2.                  That all members should note that there is no legal encumbrance or entanglement restraining the EXCO from exercising the mandate given to it.

3.                  That assuming, without conceding, that there are aggrieved persons, a committee will be set up to reach out to all members across the country and build peace where and when necessary.

4.                  That a committee will be set up to collate and investigate claims and grievances (if they exist) concerning the Association’s property in Mpape Abuja from 1985 till date. The said committee will also evaluate the level of development of the property.

5.                  That every branch/chapter of the Association that is operating outside the rules and practices of the Association should immediately desist from doing so or face appropriate disciplinary action.

 

6.                  That the Association will henceforth streamline its membership by updating existing digital membership database and hosting same on ANA website for on-going nationwide membership validation and re-validation.

 

7.                  That the Association will raise funds for its programmes /activities, bearing in mind that donors expect to see value before they commit their funds.

 

8.                  That the Association will take greater advantage of its members/friends/assets in the diaspora by building partnerships.

 

9.                  That the Association will create or find platforms for digitization and marketing of books written by its members, start an online newsletter and strengthen/sync its blogs to publicize its activities.

 

10.              That the Association will strengthen its journal (ANA Review) and host it online. The editorial board will be strengthened to give more respectability to the journal.  Limited hard copies will be printed, and provision will be made for more hard copies on print-on-demand (POD) basis.

 

11.              That all the Association’s regular programmes/projects/commitments will be implemented/executed. For example, ANA convention, ANA Prizes, AE-FUNAI Conference, and ANA Review will run without hindrance.

 

12.              That a committee will be set up to review the Association’s Constitution and to suggest areas that require improvement.

CONCLUSION

 The Association is truly a noble one. As much as it has had its challenges through the years, it has never failed to apply the wealth of its intellect and character to solve its problems and to expand one of the world’s greatest literary traditions. That is why our Association must preserve its honour and sense of duty.

It is thus required of all members to keep faith in the Association, to promote and participate in the Association’s programmes, and to work with the National Executive Council. The EXCO hereby motivates and challenges each member to exercise the fullness of his/her imagination, profit from the wealth of his/her creativity, build bridges within and outside Nigeria, eschew divisiveness and acrimony, and respect the constitutional instruments that guide the Association’s conduct and processes. The baton has been given to our generation (all of us) to sustain a peaceful, stable, and progressive community of authors. If we all shine our light in our Association, no darkness anywhere can prevail over us. Long Live ANA!

Issued on this 5^thday of September, 2020 in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Signed by:

Mr. Camillus Ukah(National President)

Mr. MaikOrtserga(General Secretary)