An Address Presented by Mr. Camillus Ukah, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, on the Occasion of the 39TH International Convention of the Association holding in Ilorin, Kwara State , December3-6, 2020.

 

 

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY MR. CAMILLUS UKAH, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN AUTHORS, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 39^TH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE ASSOCIATION HOLDING IN  ILORIN, KWARA STATE , DECEMBER3-6, 2020. 

 

Protocol

We thank God for bringing us to the 2020 International Convention of our association in the great city of Ilorin. This convention has been made possible by the Kwara State branch, led by Aderinoye Abdul-Rahman, which has empowered its local organizing committee to work tirelessly to secure the profitable partnership of the University of Ilorin and the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation.

We are grateful to our elders, resource persons, and members who are participating in this convention. Let us note that because of the difficulties of travel and adherence to COVID-19 protocol, there a virtual component to allow members across the world to participate from their homes. This ensures that no one is excluded from this year’s convention. We thank Boldscholar for this service.

In the face of this year’s challenges, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has remained resolute about its convictions: to execute its projects and implement its programmes. Whereas many other organisations have “frozen” their annual activities this year, ANA has doggedly held all its annual programmes. The association’s tenacity has led us to the 39^th International Annual Convention for which we are gathered here. The association has fulfilled its duty to its members and the nation even as it has creatively taken precaution in all its activities. This is resilience at work. As clear leaders and pathfinders in the continent, Nigerian writers have always confronted challenges and they have always lived up to their calling to redeem the image of our country/continent.

This convention is built on commitment and hard work. My administration understands the generations of sacrifice that have kept our association elevated amongst its peers. Our association is truly illustrious.  And I am convinced that it will always be illustrious given the constant presence of resourceful elders who are always available to show the light. Their presence here today has no doubt added grace to this occasion.

Given how this association loftily offers value to society, I have said repeatedly that creative literature is a very important tool for national development. Creativity and its intellectual capital are vital to development. This assertion derives from the fact that development, of any sort, begins from the mind. Even experiments that are performed in physical laboratories are derivatives of the ones performed in the laboratories of the mind. That is why it is important to note that literature grooms the mind for novel thinking, and every breakthrough is a product of novelty. Thus, literature occupies a cardinal position in the advancement of the human cause. For that reason, the theme of this year’s convention is “In Search of a Better World: Literature as Catalyst for National Development.”

A better world is the product for development and it is the role of literature in development that advices the conviction that the subject can catalyse the realisation of the better world that we all desire. This regime of ANA is deeply worried about the continuous decay in our world and has therefore chosen the subject matter of a Better World as its thematic focus. The regime has variously engaged this topic and is still engaging it. Today provides another germane opportunity for a thorough bred scholar to give bread to the eaters in respect of this all important topic.

Drawing from the famous projections of Gordon Brown, the famous Oxford Professor of English, it is our hope that literature will help to heal our sick society and bring us to the point of a better world. I therefore call on you all, my noble colleagues in the creative enterprise of literature, to find opportunity during this important conference to deeply reflect on the possibilities of a better world through better art. I also call on all true progressives to invest in literature as a vehicle for a quicker realisation of development goals.

Let us all understand that it will take consistent positive actions to make the world increasingly better. It is a lifelong duty. As indicated by the service of many of colleagues who have transited to the great beyond, each of us must carry his/her baton with dignity and pass it on to the younger generation. That is a lesson we have learnt from the sad and sobering moments when some of our finest writers passed way. At this point, permit me to most respectfully ask you to rise in respect of the iconic Professor JP Clark and other Nigerian writers who have joined the ancestors this year. To honour their legacy and ours, we must always work to make the world better.

Thank you for listening. Enjoy the convention.   

Camillus Ukah

President