By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The place of authors in the contemporary world especially in Nigerian setting cannot be overlooked just as a call has gone out for their preservation for posterity.
These were the arguments made Tuesday by Honorable Dr. Zainab Gimba, member, Federal House of Representatives and Dr. (Mrs) Lizi Ben-Iheanachor at a Talk/Award programme organised by Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), Abuja Branch to mark its 40th Year Anniversary and International Women’s Day respectively.
Hon. Gimba who was one of the Keynote Speakers at the event with its theme: When in Arts, Literature and Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a Covid-19 World, held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja said that the world would not have been what it is without the contribution of authors.
According to the National Assembly member who is also African Chairperson, Commonwealth Women Parliament,the Federal
“without the authors there wouldn’t be books to read so their role in the development of the society is very huge”.
She therefore commended ANA, Abuja Branch for organising the programme to celebrate not only their anniversary but also to commemorate International Women’ Day respectively.
Renowned author, Dr. Ben-Iheanachor, in her own presentation decried the problems authors now face which post-independent authors like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Flora Nwapa, Cyprian Ekwensi and many others did not encounter in their time.
She listed the bottle-neck which the present day authors are facing to include multi-tasking role of being the author, editor, publisher, marketer among others.
The outspoken author argued that these will not allow the author to concentrate on the primary role of write books while other specialists takeover the rest of the job.
Dr. Ben-Iheanachor however opined that authors especially women writers should henceforth write books on womenfolk to promote women just as she harped on authors to write their own stories about themselves.
“I challenge authors to write their biographies in order to document their own history and achievements. A person is in a better position to tell his or her own story better”, she concluded.
The event also featured poetry rendition by young girls from a secondary schools in Suleja, Niger and Karu, Nasarawa states as well as upcoming authors who are members of ANA Abuja Branch.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of Merit Awards to five distinguished women. They are Chief (Mrs.) Gladys Russel, ex-Chairman, ANA Abuja Branch; Dr. (Mrs.) Lizi Ben-Iheanachor; Chief (Mrs.) Moji Makanjuola, renowned Media practitioner; Prof. Zaynab Alkali, renowned author and Hon. Dr. Zainab Gimba, NASS member.
The Awards were presented by prominent ANA Abuja member, Prof. Chudi Uwazuruike, former NASS member.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Halima Usman, Chairperson, ANA Abuja Branch, has described the event as a huge success, pointing out that the occasion was a “gathering of heavyweights in the industry”.
She thanked all the guests especially the students who made poetry presentation and members of ANA Abuja Branch who turned out in large numbers to honour the invitation of the Chairperson and her Executive Members.
