Young Writers Laud Ukah’s One And A Half Years Achievements In Office As ANA President, Lists Outstanding Projects And Activities Executed By Him

 

YOUNG WRITERS LAUD UKAH’S ONE AND A HALF YEARS ACHIEVEMENTS IN OFFICE AS ANA PRESIDENT, LISTS OUTSTANDING PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES EXECUTED BY HIM

 

Some Young Nigerian Writers have hailed Camillus Ukah’s exemplary leadership since taking charge as President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

The group, under the aegis of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) said the Association has recorded tremendous progress in its operations in the last one and a half years.

The commendation was contained in a press release personally signed and issued to newsmen in Kano State, by Musa Sunusi Ahmad, National Publicity Secretary of the Society on behalf of the group.

The release stated that Camillus Ukah has put his criti­cs in absolute shame considering his mon­umental contributions to ANA.

Citing remarkable developmental and members-oriented projects Camillus Ukah had executed since he assumed office over one and half years ago, Musa Sunusi Ahmad said Camillus Ukah deserves accolades.

Some of the recorded achievements Include:

·         Formation of strategic panels and committees to fast track the delivery of the Association’s objectives,

·         Monitored and supervised elections held in its chapters in Oyo, Kogi, Kaduna, Osun, Kwara,  Abuja, Nassarawa, Niger, Bayelsa, Yobe etc.,

·         Established a partnership with other similar stakeholders like the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC),

·         Held the 9^th and 10^th  Meetings of the National Executive Council Members with State Chapters’ Chairmen and Secretaries held in Ilorin Kwara State,  

·         Held its 2020 and 2021 Authors’ Groove at the Nigerian International Book Fair

·         Fully participated in the burial of the former ANA President, Prof. Jerry Agada,

·         Fully participated in the burial of Late Prof. J.P. Clark. The 2020 Edition of ANA Review was dedicated to the memory of the late literary sage.

·         Held its 3rd Conference/ Creative Workshop in partnership with Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu –Alike Ikwo in Ebonyi State with the theme “Re-imagining Belonginess in 21^st Century Africa” which was delivered by Dr. Chika Unigwe,

·         Fast-tracking development and construction activities on the ANA Land in Mpape, Abuja where presently the basic structures originally earmarked to be built on the land are in various stages of completion.

·         Three distinguished members of the Association (Chinedum Nwajiuba, Prof May Nwoye and Prof Mallam Al-Bishak) were inducted as fellows of the Association at the 39^th International Annual Convention which held in Ilorin, Kwara State in December,2020.

·         Fully on ground at the Valedictory Lecture and Retirement from the Service of University of Ilorin organized in honour of Prof. Olu Obafemi.

·         Partnered with Bayelsa State First Lady on A-Book-A-Week Project.

·         Introduced the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature endowed by the Anambra State Government in honour of Late Chinua Achebe with a million naira cash reward,

·         Introduced Prof. Jerry Agada Prize endowed by Prof. Moses Tsenongu in honour of the former President of the Association, Prof. Jerry Agada.

·         Unveiled Forty Thousand Books Project to Mark ANA’s 40^th Anniversary

·         Took ANA@40 Celebration to Ibadan, Yenagoa and Port-Harcourt,

·         Introduced the Ikeogu Poetry Prize for Teen Poets endowed by the family of the Late Poet,

·         Launched/Commissioned Imodoye Writers Enclave (Ile Iwe) in Ilorin. A Private initiative of Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, former Chairman of ANA Kwara. Imodoye Writers Enclave (Ile Iwe) was built for the use of young and professional writers across the country wishing to enhance and hone their creative writing skills. The initiative hopes to take after Dr. Wale Okediran’s Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin

·         Hosted the 39^th International Convention of the Association in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State.

·         Upgraded and moved ANA Website from www.ana-nigeria.com to www.ananigeria.org

·         Fully participated in the burial of the former ANA National Secretary, Hyacinth Obunseh,

While calling on ANA President and his team not to relent but continue to introduce more positive initiatives, the body also urged relevant stakeholders to continue to extend their support to him.

According to the release; “It is our prayers that Allah shall continue to increase you financially and otherwise, more wisdom and unprecedented knowledge to lead ANA to the Promised Land. We must say at this junction that we are really proud of you and your achievements over the years.