The highs and lows of ANA’s Abuja convention

There were people in groups, some in blue T-shirts taking photographs before the auditorium of the Women Development Centre in Abuja. It was the venue of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) 35th Anniversary International Convention. Also, publishing houses and bookstore sales representatives were present at the grand event with the theme “Re-contextualising African Literature […]

There were people in groups, some in blue T-shirts taking photographs before the auditorium of the Women Development Centre in Abuja. It was the venue of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) 35th Anniversary International Convention. Also, publishing houses and bookstore sales representatives were present at the grand event with the theme “Re-contextualising African Literature for the African Renaissance: Emergent Realities, Trends and Strategies for the 21st Century.”

Books, books, and books…

For any book lover, the ANA convention was an ultimate opportunity to re-stock and catch-up on what’s new literary-wise. Cassava Republic, Parresia Publishers, AMAB Books, Kraft Books, Booksellers and several other such platforms kept stands, showcasing books not easily found at a single location. But there they were for the picking, cash in hand.

There was Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s (winner of 2016 Nigerian Prize for Literature) ‘Season of Crimson Blossoms’, Chigozie Obioma’s ‘The Fishermen’, Elnathan John’s ‘Born on a Tuesday’ and other works recently introduced to the market, such as Dr. Wale Okediran’s ‘Keepers of the Tribe’, a collection of short stories. Also, worthy of note was a single copy of ‘The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe’, described as one of the earliest pioneers of the short story genre who also perfected the tale of psychological horror.   

By 4p.m. on that opening day, a tour of the stands revealed varying results: AMAB books had sold over fifty copies of its books, Booksellers, seventeen, and Aboki Publishers just two journals. Unable to hide his discontentment, Emmanuel Odafe, sales representative for Kraft Books said sales was okay, “but not as much as we expected. Perhaps it’s because of all that’s going on. Still, it’s a bit encouraging.” But Dauda Abubakar of Booksellers Limited didn’t mince words. “It’s quite challenging,” he said, adding that some people came, but were unable to buy. “They said they will be back.”

The writers

“I am not here as Mrs. Rochas Okorocha,” the wife of Imo State Governor, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha pointed out when she mounted the stage to make a speech. Like perhaps every writer, she wanted to be seen simply as ‘a writer.’ So, she went on to read three poems from her collection titled ‘The Power of Image’ lines that made the audience listen to catch every word, that spoke of God’s love, of war and peace. The applause was loud when she dropped the last line.  

Award-winning author, Professor Femi Osofisan looked a bit strained after the opening ceremony, but what could he do when from the steps of the auditorium he was accosted by people who respect his achievements in the world of literature? So, snapshots soon followed with him tucked in the middle of legions of admirers. 

Osofisan is noted for his critique of societal problems and his use of African traditional performances and surrealism in some of his works. He is a playwright, director, actor, critic, poet, novelist, editor and newspaper columnist. This year, he became the first African to win the Thalia Prize, meant to highlight the work of those who have helped critics around the globe understand new ways of seeing and appreciating the performing arts worldwide. He is well known for his play, ‘Once Upon Four Robbers’, taught in universities around the world and his plays are cries of freedom and adaptations of Greek and Shakespearean epochs.

Book chats usually make the seat somewhat hot for the author, but Dr. Wale Okediran turned it into a throne of sorts after a review of his collection of short stories ‘Keepers of the Tribe’ by ANA (Abuja Chapter) General Secretary, Salamatu Sule. Later responding to questions on publishing from the audience, he said that first-time writers can opt for self-publishing, but he, personally, doesn’t feel after the rigours of writing, he will want to deal with marketing his book. He advised aspiring authors to bend their backs in research and gave an example of how he spent two days in a Fulani settlement to capture their way of life. He also pointed out that the difference between an average Nigerian writer and an American one is the latter’s access to good editors.  

Writer’s Village

It’s written boldly, ‘Mamman Vatsa’s Writer’s Village’ with Association of Nigerian Authors and its logo on the side. It was the agenda for Friday (the convention held from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th October) to tour the location at Mpape so everyone can see the on-going project-an initiative of the association where writers can call home. 

To speed things up, in the ANA land Committee’s report presented at the general meeting, a recommendation was included to reassess the whole project and engage the services of a Quantity Surveyor to evaluate the progress with the aim of advising the association on the way forward.

Was the convention a success?

From day one, Debbie Ioriam, an ANA member, expected a lot. But from October 27 when she arrived, things were “disorganised” she explained, mainly with getting her hotel room accommodation. Femi Onileagbon, chairman of ANA, Lagos Chapter also had a similar complain. “We left everything else to be here today. I know the challenges they faced to put this together,” he said, adding that people still paid up late for the event and some promises remained unfulfilled. “A convention like this involves a lot of financial input.”

Onileagbon, whose responsibility it was to ensure delegates from Lagos made it to Abuja and back, explained that delegates paid a certain amount as convention fee. “Ten thousand naira if one desires a single room and fifteen thousand for a paired room. But the hotel where I stayed was fifteen thousand naira, which doesn’t cover three nights, so we always depend on subsidy from some companies,” he said. 

Bizum Yadok, author of the novel ‘King of the Jungle’ travelled from Jos for the event. He had gone hungry on the Anniversary Awards Dinner which was also the closing ceremony. “Food was insufficient,” he complained, adding that the plays and the ANA general meeting were high points of the occasion for him. Then there was the book chat. 

“But the keynote address should have been printed,” Yadok said about the opening ceremony. “It could even have been prepared in booklet form.”

Isidore Diala, a Professor of African Literature, Department of English and Literary Studies, Imo State University, was keynote speaker at the opening ceremony. He spoke about literature, its forms and its location in time and place. His analyses led him to examples of great poets like Abubakar Othman and Niyi Osundare.

Yadok further argued that what was meant to be the screening of ANA documentary ended up being a series of interviews with members of the association. “That wasn’t what I expected,” he said. 

But Salamatu Sule, ANA’s Abuja Chapter General Secretary described the convention as ground-breaking for the fact that the association marked thirty-five years. “For the first time, we had different programmes which included the book chat and the master class,” she explained, adding that in any event challenges are inevitable. To ensure lessons are learnt, after a review of the convention, members will be asked to write their observations. “It is unfortunate that members did not consider it important to settle their membership dues, which could not have been enough to host the convention, thereby increasing the accommodation and logistics problems. The national executives are usually blamed at the end of the day despite efforts they made toward the occasion’s success.” 

Funding in the time of recession

The president of ANA, Malam Denja Abdullahi said they got donations from “a few patrons, the chief host and a few companies. Some institutions such as the NUC gave their facilities, while we paid to use others.” The association also saved some money from two flagship projects executed earlier in the year and money paid by delegates to participate were largely used to finance their accommodation.  

How much of the promises made before the convention were fulfilled? The president pointed out that one can hardly extract a promise from anyone these days, especially when finance was involved. The Chief Host, Senator Shehu Sani promised to sponsor and he did give some money. Although the convention is over, the association is still expecting funds from some persons and companies as some bills are yet to be settled. 

Malam Abdullahi described the convention as the best organised for about a decade because it had rich content and novel features not seen in previous years. “It took early planning, commitment, creativity and ingenuity,” he said, adding that the turnout was above what was expected, considering the economic environment. “It was also not an election year, so the turnout was pleasantly shocking. I attribute that also to our well laid-out strategy.”