The President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mr Camillus Ukah, has said that Nigerian literature has continued to shine amid adversaries.

Ukah made this known at the induction ceremony and 42nd international convention of the association held at the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Ukah noted that Nigerian literature still takes the lead in the continent and has continued to gain global prominence.

According to him, Nigerian literature has grown as a result of its resilience.

“It seems to me that adversity has added to the growth. At all times in all seasons Nigeria literature have blossomed in all seasons because adverse conditions inspire, a good condition also inspire.

“So, I don’t think there have been any dull moments in the case of Nigeria writing and you know, of course, Nigerian literature takes and maintains the lead in the continent and has continued to gain global prominence.

“Association of Nigerian Authors have brought innovations, one of which is the Mbari series. Mbari series is a monthly gathering of writers and intellectuals for the hybridization of ideas then you can see the inauguration of ANA fellows. ANA fellowship is a type of fellowship, that is like a talent hunt, a hunt for individuals who have made sincere and remarkable contributions to the development of literature in society. Today is about gathering such individuals and honouring them for such advancement.

“We now have the Institute of Creative Writers and Film, whose first graduates were presented today. It is my administration that brought into materialization this writer’s village, which is
inarguably the biggest in the continent.”

In an interview with The Guardian, renowned journalist, public speaker, author and poet, Dr Tunde Olusunle, who was among those conferred with the fellowship, lauded the new development. He described it as a very welcomed development, stressing that the leadership of the association has put in place, a mechanism for honouring people for their contributions to literature and literacy.

“I am happy to be recognised from my small corner. The future is bright for young people coming after us. My generation took up from the pages of a newspaper at a time when university journals and chapbooks were going into extinction.

The Guardian was very catalytic in this process. My Ph.D dissertation was actually on the print media and the development of Nigerian literature.

Also, the immediate past President of ANA, Denja Abdullahi, spoke about the impact of ANA on Nigeria authors.

He stated that ANA was so significant to authors.
“We just graduated the first set of students from the Institute of Creative Writing and Film; that is a very big impact already.”