Given that we have issued a disclaimer on a group of persons who claim to have met in Awka, Anambra State of Nigeria (from 10th to 12th December, 2020), under the name of our organization, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), our attention has been drawn to a post, on the Facebook timeline of one Mr. Richard Ali, stating that “Bode Sowande” has become “ANA BOT Chairman.”
We would not have bothered about Mr. Ali’s personal view if not for its potential to mislead the public and misrepresent our Association. To save the Association and the public from the misinformation that is inherent in Mr. Ali’s post (which has been shared by unsuspecting individuals), we state as follows:
1. There is only one ANA under the leadership of Mr. Camillus Ukah.
2. There is only one Advisory Council under the chairmanship of Professor Femi Osofisan.
3. The individuals who met in Awka have no locus standi to decide or determine the Board of Trustees (BOT) of ANA. The Association held its annual international convention in Ilorin Kwara State (3-6 December, 2020) and it took decisions concerning its status.
4. Professor Bode Sowande is neither a chairman nor a member of ANA’s BOT. Alhaji Yaya Dangana and Prof. Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugha are not members of ANA’s BOT. The trio are advised to protect their names from misrepresentation.
5. The Association had decided at its 2013 convention, held in Akure, that Professor Ernest Emenyonu and Professor Kole Omotoso should replace the late Professors Chinua Achebe and TM Aluko. At the convention held in Ilorin this year, the congress reaffirmed its 2013 decision and even went further to add Dr. Maria Ajima to the BOT. All three are to serve with Madam Mabel Segun and Mallam Labo Yari who have been trustees for decades.
6. The Association recalls that at the 2013 convention, the congress charged Mr. Ahmed Maiwada, who was then the Legal Adviser, to facilitate the registration/formalization of the “new” members of the BOT. Rather than weaponizing his dereliction of duty, the Association believes that Mr. Maiwada should show contrition for his failure to effect/implement the decision of the congress.
7. Whereas ANA respects the freedom of assembly, it wonders if the traditional ruler of Professor Chinua Achebe’s hometown, Igwe Alex Uzo (Onyido Ezechuamagha of Ogidi), who appears proud of Professor Achebe’s legacy, knows that Mr. Maiwada is on record for describing Professor Achebe as “an unreliable witness,” a “father of lies,”and “a drama queen” that is “buried with the full honours of [his] failure.” By receiving Mr. Maiwada in Ogidi, did the Igwe allow Mr. Maiwada to dance on Professor Achebe’s grave or did he allow Mr. Maiwada to mock himself by eating his own vomit?
8. The Association’s congress, held in Ilorin, has reaffirmed the expulsion of Ahmed Maiwada, NgoziChuma-Udeh, Akogun Tai Oguntayo, Patrick Oguejiofor, Owupele Francis, Usho Smith Adawa, Banma Baba Suleiman, Dada Korede, Moses Joseph, Isa Ibrahim Dan Musa, Stanley Kavwam, and Isaac Attah Ogezi for repeatedly violating the constitution of the Association. Whoever associates them with ANA does so at his/her own risk.
9. The Association urges its members and the general public to be guided.
Signed
Umar Yogiza Jr. PRO North
Wole Adedoyin PRO South
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