NAN-ELS-2
Authors
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Jan. 24, 2018 (NAN) Malam Abdullahi Denja, President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) said on Wednesday the association was committed to the completion of Writers’ Village project at Mpape, Abuja to enhance its impact on the society.
Denja made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
“We are committed to the development and completion of the Mamman Vatsa Writers` Village at Mpape, Abuja.
“However, the creative hub is already witnessing rapid progress in the form of the building and completion of the mini-national secretariat.
“Also, the ongoing construction works on various outlined facilities earmarked for the village shall be sustained in the bid to deliver the promise made to the Congress,’’ Denja said.
He said the association would continue to explore various programmes and projects within the year as contained in its Strategic Plan (2017 to 2022).
Denja said the programmes would be in form of workshops, mentoring and external collaborations geared toward honing the skills of young and emerging writers as well as capacity development for established writers.
“Creative writing and literary production should begin to receive more attention from both the public and private sectors as viable partners in the ongoing strides to diversify the country’s economy.
“However, I urge members to continue to use the instrumentality of their writings and creative endowments to promote peace, harmony and mutual coexistence in the country.
“This is because such is in line with our founding philosophy of supporting Nigeria’s emergence as an egalitarian society, safe for all and vibrantly accommodating others’ opinions and noble pursuits.
“The leadership of the association at all levels shall remain committed to purposeful administration, pursuit and protection of the interest of all creative writers in the country,’’ he said.
Denja, however, called on all chapters of the association to support the ongoing digital membership database development by registering themselves on the portal provided on the association’s website.
He said it was regrettable that the literary sector had been excluded from the government’s discourse and support projections.
Denja suggested an urgent redress to enable a wholesome development of the creative industry. (NAN)
CMY/AJA/GY
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi/Grace Yussuf