ANAMBRA YOUNG WRITERS CONDEMN PLANNED COUNTER NATIONAL CONVENTION OF ANA AS OPPROBRIOUS AND INSULTING TO ACHEBE'S PERSONALITY


We the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), organizers of Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture wish to condemn in its entirety the planned hosting of a counter national convention in Awka, Anambra State, this week by a splinter group what broke away from the main body of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) which held its 39th International Convention in Ilorin, Kwara State last weekend.

As curators of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture and Publishers of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology since the last five years, we are fully aware of the central role Achebe played in the formation of the Association of Nigerian Authors. We are also intensely aware that until his demise seven years ago, Achebe regarded ANA as one his most enduring legacies.

It is therefore embarrassing to us that one week after the duly recognized ANA had held its 39th Convention in Ilorin, a dubious and spurious splinter group led by a northern power-thirsty writer whose entire writing career has been sustained by relentless vitriol and vicious attacks on Chinua Achebe is leading a large team of literary herdsmen to Awka this week to mock the great Achebe in his own grave in the guise of a Convention. Tufiakwa! This is one disgrace that will make Nna anyi Achebe turn in his grave.

While we recognize the right of Maiwada and his herdsmen to a peaceful gathering, we urge well meaning Nigerians to advise them to seek for another location for their ill-conceived convention because their plan is a slap on the humanist values and moral ethos that Chinua Achebe espoused profusely in his books.

We also call on the Government of Anambra State to take note of the planned invasion and illegal gathering and take precautionary steps to forestall unforeseen developments.

Chinua Achebe deserves our collective respect, if not anywhere, then at least in his home state.

Signed

Izunna Okafor

Coordinator, Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter.