ANA Congratulates Austin Amanze Akpuda on his appointment as Professor in ABSU

 

ANA CONGRATULATES AUSTIN AMANZE AKPUDA ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS PROFESSOR IN ABSU

Camillus Ukah, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has congratulated one of Nigeria’s most outstanding Scholars and ANA Member, Austin Amanze Akpuda on his well-deserved elevation to the rank of Professor.

This was contained in a congratulatory message issued by the National Publicity Secretary (South) of ANA, Wole Adedoyin in Ilesa on Tuesday.

Austin Amanze Akpuda, a poet, literary critic and scholar at Abia State University was among the Literary Scholars in the academia that were recently confirmed Professors by the Governing Council of the Abia State University.

ANA President, Camillus Ukah celebrates Austin Amanze Akpuda on this milestone and the literary body is indeed proud to associate with him.

According to the message, "Congratulations on your new appointment! We knew the appointment was meant for none other than you. We are so glad it finally came your way. This is an opportunity to use the rare talent that nature has given you. We knew it was only a matter of time before you achieved success.

With your hardwork and dedication, you deserve no less. You have paid your dues, you have done the grind. No one deserves this appointment more than you do.

We wish you every success in your new duties. Please be aware that you have our full support."

ANA President finally extolled the academic and leadership qualities of Austin Amanze Akpuda saying he has no doubt in his competence because he has distinguished himself at various academic conferences and creative writing workshops of ANA.

Anambra State Endows Chinua Achebe Prize for Nigerian Writing

 

ANAMBRA STATE ENDOWS CHINUA ACHEBE PRIZE FOR NIGERIAN WRITING

 

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) which Africa's greatest raconteur and novelist founded at the University of Nigeria at Nsukka, the Anambra State Government has endowed a one-million naira (N1 million) worth Chinua Achebe Prize for Nigerian Writing.

The Prize is to be administered by ANA founded in 1981.

The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, made the endowment known in Awka, the Anambra State capital, while speaking to journalists today.

Mr Adinuba reported Governor Willie Obiano as stressing that Achebe deserves celebration not only in his native Anambra State but also all over Nigeria, Africa and the world as the globally acclaimed “father of African literature”.

The Chinua Achebe Prize for Nigerian Writing will be awarded to the best novel published by a Nigerian writer in each calendar year.

The prize will be distinctive from the usually awarded ANA Fiction Prize, ANA Poetry Prize, ANA Drama Prize etc in that it will draw entries from distinguished publishers in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

The Nigerian Diaspora that rates quite high on the literary front will through the Chinua Achebe Prize for Nigerian Writing identify strongly with the home front.

Chinua Achebe blazed a trail in world literature when he published the classic Things Fall Apart on June 17, 1958 at barely 27 years of age. The novel has since been translated to well over 60 languages and ignited a boom in African writing. The other novels of Achebe are No Longer At Ease, Arrow of God, A Man of the People, and Anthills of the Savannah.

By instituting the Chinua Achebe Prize for Nigerian Writing, the Anambra State Government has written its name in history as the first state government in Nigeria to honour a writer.

Camilus Ukah, ANA president, has praised Governor Obiano for the honour to Achebe.

"In an era of crass philistinism in Nigeria", he declared in a telephone conversation with Commissioner Adinuba this morning, "it is reassuring that there are top government officials like Chief Obiano who appreciate ideas, letters and culture".

Camilus Ukah said that the governor's gesture has galvanised ANA to consider holding a meeting in Awka to mark the association's 40th anniversary as it has already done in some Nigerian cities.

Signed: C. Don Adinuba

Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.

https://www.nairaland.com/6626496/anambra-state-endows-chinua-achebe

ANA NASARAWA ELECTS NEW EXCO, DR. CHIKA ONYASHIWA AGBO EMERGES CHAIRPERSON

ANA NASARAWA ELECTS NEW EXCO, DR. CHIKA ONYASHIWA AGBO EMERGES CHAIRPERSON

By Umar Yogiza Jr. ANA PRO (North)

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Nasarawa State chapter, yesterday, Saturday, 26th June, 2021 elected a new state Chairperson, Dr. Chika O. Agbo and nine others to pilot the affairs of the association for the next two years.

The election held at the Nurses House, Bukan Sidi, Lafia.

ANA Nasarawa Election Organizing Committee headed by Dr. Thomas Afi and with support from his committee members namely: Mr. Osori Ibrahim DanAsabe (Financial Secretary) Mr. Abashj Attah Michael (Secretary) 

Chairman of the Electoral Committee Dr. Thomas Afi declared Dr. Chika Onyashiwa Agbo as the Chairperson of ANA Nasarawa, who won the election with 98% percent votes, while Mr. Louis Azigi, the former Secretary was re-elected Secretary, unopposed.

Other elected officials included, Mr. Osori Ibrahim DanAsabe as Vice Chairman, Mrs. Gladys Bulus as Ass. Secretary, Lurex Nwaloze as Treasurer, Miss Envongulu M. Mercy as Financial Secretary, Mr. Onwuka Orji-Mba Benjamin as Publicity Secretary, Simon Inalegu as Auditor, Barista Abdullahi Shams Shama Legal Adviser, Mr. Edward Philip (Ex-officio 1)  and Mrs. Bilkisu Adamu as ex-officio 2.

Speaking to the press, the newly elected Chairperson, Dr. Chika Onyashiwa Agbo promised to work hard towards putting back ANA Nasarawa as the best in the country, the position ANA Nasarawa once held to the envy of other Chapters. And being the first woman to be elected the Chairperson of ANA Nasarawa State, she'll put extra efforts in discharging her duties, because, a lot women put so much hope and trust in her.

While thanking ANA Nasarawa members for electing them, Dr. Mrs. Chika Onyashiwa Agbo said, her EXCO will strive hard to bring back all the lost lights and achievements of her earlier predecessors in taking the chapter to greater heights. 

She further called on ANA Nasarawa members, after coming out in mass to vote, they shouldn't relent on calling their attention no matter how smooth the journey or little the error whenever they stray or about to, "this is the tenure of the people not Chika Onyashiwa Agbo", she said, "because I wants to run the best association in the country".

She promised to be transparent, reckful, free and ever willing in discharging of their duties, the newly elected ANA Nasarawa Chairperson reminded members of her chapter that, will, advice, cooperation is the backbone of cordial relationship and progress in every association and hence, ANA Nasarawa must learn embrace it at this critical time.

Also speaking, Dr. Thomas Afi, Chairman 2021 ANA Nasarawa Election Planning Committee, commended the delegates and participants who despite the rain and sanitation restriction comes out in mass and also for exhibiting high sense of patience and maturity during the long hours exercise.

ANA FELICITATES WITH PROFESSOR FEMI OSOFISAN AT 75

ANA FELICITATES WITH EMERITUS PROFESSOR FEMI OSOFISAN, FANA, FNAL, NNOM AT 75

ANA President, Dr. Camillus Ukah, has sent his hearty congratulations Professor Emeritus Femi Osofisan, on the occasion of his 75th birthday anniversary, describing him as a literary pillar, infallible mentor and dependable statesman.

Dr. Camillus in a congratulatory message released on Wednesday, June 16th 2021 by the Publicity Secretary (North), Umar Yogiza Jr, said, Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan —a former President of ANA, PEN and Patron of PAWA has contributed beyond measure to the growth of Nigeria, Africa and World Literature through his mastery of all the four genres of literature – poetry, drama, prose, and literary criticism.

According to the message, “We are lucky —knowing you, mentoring by you and the world is a better place with you in it for these 75 years. Wishing you many happy returns! May you be comforted by God's positive presence in your life, and His guiding light. 75 is not a numbers, but a step into pure greatness! Have a fantastic birthday Sir.” 

Dr. Camillus Chima Ukah finally prayed that the Almighty God grant Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan longer life, clean health, wisdom and more strength to celebrate more fruitful years. Professor Osofisan, Nigeria’s most decorated literary icons, is a former President of ANA, PEN and Patron of PAWA. He is a recipient of numerous awards —winner of the First Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service (WNBS) Prize for Independence Anniversary Essay. His first book of poetry, Minted Coins, won the ANA Poetry Prize and the Regional Commonwealth Poetry Award for a First Collection in 1987. 

Morountodun and Other Plays won him the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) 1983 Award for Drama. He also won the 1993 ANA Award for Drama for his book, Yungba-Yungba and the Dance Contest. He made the shortlist for the prestigious USA-based Neustadt Prize in 2000. He is the only African to have received the World Literary Prize in Drama, the Thalia Laurel.

Professor Femi Osofisan, a critic, essayist, poet, dramatist and activist, has been honoured as an Officier de l’Ordre Nationale de Mérite, Rép. de France (1999), which he graciously received in 1999, and also as a recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit in the Humanities (2004), the most prestigious merit-based award in Nigeria, which recognises the best of the best in various walks of life. He received this award in 2004. In 2006, he equally received the Fonlon-Nichols Prize for Literature and the Struggle for Human Rights (2006).

He has been honoured with Fellow, Nigerian Academy of the Arts [FNAL] (2006). Osofisan was also a Drama Consultant to the Second World Festival of Black and African Arts and Culture (Festac ’77), the Cultural Olympiad, 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta, and Movement for Mass Mobilization, Social and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), Abuja, Nigeria (1989). And one time General Manager and Chief Executive of the National Theatre, Lagos, Nigeria. Osofisan’s plays have been performed in many countries, where he has also held teaching or research fellowships, including Japan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Lesotho, China, USA, Canada, UK, France, South Africa; his plays are among the most produced.

Born on June 16, 1946, as Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan in the Ogun State town of Erunwon. Professor Femi Osofisan has written works in all the four genres of literature – poetry, drama, prose, and literary criticism. He has four prose works to his name, over 60 plays, five books of poems, and several essays and papers. He bagged his first degree at the Department of Modern European Languages, University of Ibadan with honours in 1969. Did his postgraduate degree also in French at the Sorbonne between 1972 and 1973. And his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1974.