NAN-H-92
ANA
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Feb. 22, 2017, (NAN) The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has called on the Federal Government to be proactive in stemming the tide of the biting socio-economic challenges in the country.
Malam Denja Abdullahi, the President of the association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
“We are calling on the government at all levels to be proactive, ingenious and sensitive to the plight of the people in stemming the tide of biting socio-economic challenges.
“This is necessary to tackle inflation and the seeming deep seated contradictions in the system in the country.
“Appropriate and well thought out measures should urgently be explored in to restore public confidence and create space for wholesome stability in the polity,’’ he said.
Abdullahi expressed the resolve of the leadership ANA to align with and maintain the philosophy of the founding fathers of the association.
“The leadership of the association at the state and national levels will explore all positive avenues to entrench its objectives, visions and missions and promote its philosophy.
He further said that the ANA would embark on the digitalisation to collate members’ database and enhance the database.
“We will continue to support literary production initiative by ensuring that vibrant creative activities and regular readings continue to dominate in Nigeria.
“ANA will eschew dispositions that will be counterproductive to achieving peace and stability in the country.’’
He also said that the current administration of the association remained committed to the development of the association’s land at Mpape, Abuja into a modern Writers Village and creative hub.
“This will engender increased creative opportunities for writers in the country such as the Young Writers Mentorship Scheme (YWMS) and A-Book-A-Child Project.
“We have lined up and planned for International Conferences on Indigenous Literature and New Writings and Criticisms that will be carefully executed to produce desired goals.’’
Abdullahi, however, advised members to sustain their literary vocation, ‘’not only the production of relevant literary works but also employ crafts into addressing issues.
He, however, urged the issues, should relate how to tackle the economic challenges and social dislocations in the country.
Abdullahi said this was necessary, ‘’so that the potential of literature, literary arts and the creative industries, yet to be fully explored in the country can be tapped into.’’
The ANA boss noted that the gradual withdrawal of government and corporate organisations’ support for literary works attributed to the economic recession in the country.
“This is undoubtedly limiting the nation’s prospects of developing and tapping from the creative economy. (NAN)
EPA/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed
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