₦airaland Forum

The President of the International Writers Association (IWA), Dr. Mary Hilaire Tavenner has approved the appointment of Wole Adedoyin to oversee the newly created branch of the Association in Nigeria.

This was disclosed to newsmen via a letter signed by the Vice President of the Association, Robert J. Moore dated 18th day of March, 2022 and a membership Certificate dated 13th day of March 2022, signed by the President of the Association Dr. Mary Hilaire Tavenner.

According to the letter, Wole Adedoyin is expected to oversee and coordinate the Nigerian branch of the association.

Parts of the letter read, “Dear Wole Adedoyin, It is my honor and pleasure to formally recognize you as the President of IWA Nigeria and your group as an official chatter of the International Writers Association. We look forward to working with you on future projects and writing. As a charter member of IWA we would like to make available to you all of the benefits that being an IWA member has to offer. We look forward to sharing our expertise and marketing techniques with all of you.”

“We are also looking forward to learning more about the market in Nigeria and how we can be of help. If any IWA Nigeria members wish to be interviewed on our podcast including our forthcoming YouTube page, please let me know. If there is any way we can be of more help to all of you, please let me know.”

“As Vice-President of the main charter, I will be serving as your liaison. From time to time I may contact individual members to invite them to be guests on our media. Congratulations and I’m excited to learn more about IWA Nigeria.”

The International Writers Association is a US based writing organization dedicated to helping writers along their literary journey. IWA provides guidance in writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and promoting writers’ works. IWA’s mission is to educate, support, promote, encourage, and inform individual writers and help produce and market each member's work.

Wole Adedoyin is an alumnus of the Study Abroad in Lebanon (SAIL) programme, an initiative of the Wole Soyinka Foundation, Notre Dame University, Louaize and Cedars Institute, Lebanon. He is currently an ex-officio member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the Association. Adedoyin is also the President of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) and the immediate past National Publicity Secretary (South) of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). Before becoming the National Spokesperson of the Association, Adedoyin had served in different committees set up by various Presidents of the Association. Three of the committees are: National Teen Authorship Scheme (served as National Secretary of the Committee – 2011-2015), Young Writers Mentorship Scheme (also served as National Secretary of the Committee 2016-2019) and lastly Intellectual Property Protection and Advancement Committee (also served as its National Secretary – 2018-2019).

Adedoyin founded the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) in 2011. SYNW is an umbrella organization that was founded to promote creative writing and literary arts among writers based in Nigeria between the ages of 10 and 40. It was founded in 2010 at the former house of the Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka at the University of Ibadan. It was formerly known as the World of Poets and Literary Society.
Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) is a member of the International Authors Forum (IAF). It has also collaborated with different international organizations like Alliance Francaise (Nigeria), 100 Thousand Poets for Change (USA), Woman Scream International Poetry and Arts Festival , International Women Writing Guild and lately International Human Rights Art Festival (USA).

Adedoyin is the brain behind annual literary events like Fagunwa Day, Read Across Nigeria (RAN), National Week of Remembrance for Departed Writers (NAWRED) and the National Book Awareness Week (NABAWK). In 2011, Adedoyin organized Prof. Remi Raji @ 50 National Poetry Competition. Before serving as ANA National PRO (South), Adedoyin had served as ANA Oyo Auditor (2006-2008) and ANA Oyo PRO (2008-2010). He has published works in various literary reviews, journals and anthologies.

In 2005, Wole Adedoyin was awarded Oyo State Merit Award in Literary Arts by HE Chief Alao Akala (the the Executive Governor of Oyo State. Also in 2006, he was a recipient of Olaudah Equiano Poetry and Prose Prize, Adedoyin won the 2008 edition of ANA/Asiedu Sarpong Prize for Children Poetry and Co-Winner of the Vincent Iguanre Drama Prize.

As a content creator, Wole Adedoyin has written over 1000 articles for both Opera News and Scooper News. In March 2020, Wole Adedoyin won Opera News Hub’s Original Articles of the Week twice and also won Opera News Hub’s Original Long Read Articles of the Month (March).
On the 5th October, 2017, the Gibran National Committee in Beirut, Lebanon appointed Wole Adedoyin as the Coordinator of Gibran Khalil Gibran Society in Nigeria and Africa. Adedoyin is also the brain behind the formation of the Association of Nigerian Christian Authors and Publishers (ANCAPS) known for its annual National Christian Literature Awards.

IHRAF EXTENDS ENTRY DEADLINE FOR AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT STORY PRIZE TO 8TH OF AUGUST

The African Chapter of the International Human Rights Art Festival has extended the call for entries for its African Human Rights Short Story Prize to 8th of day August, 2022 to give more interested African Short Story Writers the opportunity to participate.

In a release signed by Wole Adedoyin, Director of IHRAF in Africa said the move is in response to calls by interested entrants requesting for more time to allow them to participate in the competition.

African Human Rights Short Story Prize is open to new, emerging and established short story writers. The Prize is open to submissions of work written in English by writers of any nationality or descent.


African Human Rights Short Story Prize aims to promote and support the realization of human rights in Africa. To be duly considered, Stories must have Human Rights at heart.

The stories can explore any of the following human rights themes: Freedom of Expression, Government Violations, Police Brutality, corruption, forced Eviction, terrorism, Gender Inequality, LGBT Rights, Child Labour, Child Marriage, Domestic Violence, violence and discrimination against women; child abuse; female genital mutilation, ethnic, regional, and religious discrimination, child trafficking etc.

PRIZE(S)
• Steve Biko Prize - $100
• Pius Adesanmi Prize - $75
• Binyavanga Wainaina Prize - $50


OTHER BENEFITS
• Award of Certificates of Participation to all Entrants.
• Award of Certificates of Excellence to only the shortlisted entrants.
• Only the shortlisted Story(s) will be published in e-book format


SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• Entries must be 1500 words minimum, 5,000 words maximum
• Entries are welcomed from anywhere in the world, but must concern human rights concerns in Africa
• Stories must have Human Rights at heart.
• Only one story per entrant
• The Story must be a new and original piece of work. The Story must not have been published in any form or awarded previously.
• Incomplete submissions will not be considered or acknowledged.
• All submissions must be written by a single author.
• Deadline for submissions is 30th June, 2022
• Winners will be announced on the 30th July, 2022
• Any signs of plagiarism will disqualify the entrant.
• IHRAF reserves the right to withdraw and reclaim the financial value of the prize if it is discovered that a writer has fabricated any information in their submission.
• Organizers’ decision is final
All entrants agree to offer IHRAF first world rights, with the right to publish selected work on its website, as well as in hard-copy book format
• All entries must be submitted to: ihrafnigeria@gmail.com and also copy societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com.
• Entries should be uploaded in a DOC format. The first page should include the Title of the story and the number of words.
• Title of your mail should be addressed as “AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SHORT STORY PRIZE”
Entrants are advised to send the following information alongside their entries
• i. Name
• ii. Age
• iii. Gender
• iv. Country
• v. Address
• vi. Phone Number
• vii. Where you heard about the Call for entries
• viii. Short Profile about yourself.
• x. Name of school or university if any
• It is your responsibility to ensure that your submission is eligible for the prize. By entering your work for the Prize you are confirming to us that the work that you are submitting is your own original work, and that you have read and agreed to the Conditions of Entry of the Prize.
• We will write to everyone who entered for the Prize and inform them of the outcome of their application once the judging process has concluded.

African Human Rights Short Story Prize is an initiative of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF), USA aimed at promoting and supporting the realization of human rights in Africa.

For more enquiries contact: Wole Adedoyin +2348072673852 (woleadedoyin@gmail.com)

ACPP CONDEMNS VIOLENT ATTACK OF PDP MEMBERS IN OSOGBO BY THUGS


The Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) under the leadership of Wole Adedoyin has condemned the violent invasion and attack on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) early this week in Osogbo.


ACPP said that they received the news of violent invasion of extended PDP Campaign train in Osogbo with shock and disbelief, warning NURTW members from the area to resist from being used as political thugs.


It would be recalled that some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were recently attacked by suspected hoodlums around Isale-Osun area of Osogbo, Osun state.


ACPP in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilesa on Wednesday, called on security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators and their likely sponsors.


“The Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) condemns in very strong terms this attack in which more than seventy members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were wounded.”


“It’s quite unfortunate and regrettable that some people still play undemocratic politics of thuggery in 2022. Any political party that still uses thugs and violence should be resisted by all well meaning Osun Voters and all political stakeholders must come together to combat this holistically before it degenerates to something worse.”


ACPP further called for “thorough investigation of the incident to ensure adequate actions are taken against anyone found to have overstepped his bounds.”

IMAGES FROM THE FIRST EDITION OF THE READ NIGERIA PROJECT HELD ON SATURDAY 28TH OF MAY, 2022 AT THE OYO STATE LIBRARY BOARD, OPPOSITE COCOA HOUSE IBADAN.

IMAGES FROM THE THIRD EDITION OF THE READ NIGERIA PROJECT HELD ON SATURDAY 25TH OF JUNE, 2022 AT THE OYO STATE LIBRARY BOARD, OPPOSITE COCOA HOUSE IBADAN.

READ NIGERIA PROJECT: GROUP PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AFTER THE THIRD SENSITIZATION READING HELD ON SATURDAY 25TH OF JUNE, 2022 AT THE OYO STATE LIBRARY BOARD, OPPOSITE COCOA HOUSE IBADAN.

ADWINSA PUBLICATIONS LAUDS EMERGENCE OF DR. WALE OKEDIRAN AS PAWA SECRETARY GENERAL

By Wole Adedoyin

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Adwinsa Publications (GH) LTD., Kwaku Oppong Amponsah, has congratulated the newly elected Secretary General of the PAN African Writers Association (PAWA), Dr. Wale Okediran.
Kwaku Oppong Amponsah described the choice of Dr. Wale Okediran as Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) as a worthy recognition of his leadership role in steering the ship of PAWA in the last one and half years.
“On behalf of the Management and Staff of Adwinsa Publications (GH) LTD, I want to express our profound delight and congratulations to the newly elected Secretary General of PAWA, Dr. Wale Okediran, on his well-deserved feat, Kwaku stated.
“Wale Okediran’s emergence as PAWA Secretary General did not surprise us at Adwinsa Publications (GH) LTD., given the important role he has been playing in driving and executing key literary projects and programmes.”
“We are, therefore, happy to associate with Dr. Wale Okediran on this feat, as it means greater recognition for PAWA. Okediran’s emergence is an indication that writers in Africa have continued to take notice of the giant strides of PAWA’s programmes under the supervision of Dr. Wale Okediran”, Kwaku said.
Mr. Kwaku Oppong Amponsah finally assured Dr. Wale Okediran that his publishing firm, Adwinsa Publications (GH) LTD. will accord him all the needed support to enable him to succeed in the new responsibilities having done the same in the past while acting as the Secretary General of PAWA.

IBADAN BOOK CLUB CONGRATULATES CAMILLUS UKAH ON PAWA AWARD

By: Wole Adedoyin

Ibadan Book Club has joined ANA Members across the country to congratulate the current President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Camillus Ukah for bagging the “ESTEEMED PATRON OF THE ARTS AWARD” from the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) over the weekend.
Ibadan Book Club, in a statement signed by its Coordinator and Secretary, Ayobami Odunyemi and Ayoade Hassanat, noted that Camillus Ukah’s infrastructural strides and exemplary leadership in ANA are finally getting the recognition it deserves.
Recall that ANA President, Camillus Ukah was on Saturday conferred with the award by the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) at the PAWA’s International Conference which took place at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria between June 23 and June 25, 2022 with the theme, “Literature Since Makerere 1962: The African Writers’ Pan African Agenda for Peace Security and Cultural Development”.
Parts of the release read, “Mr. President, the award is an eloquent testimony of your achievements since you assumed office; you came into office at a precarious time that witnessed crisis, chaos and legal battle. In all, you faced the situation with the heart of a lion and rose up to the occasion.”
“Mr. President Sir, you are a committed reformer with an unflagging love for ANA and her members, working tirelessly to embrace innovative ideas that have today transformed the association into an epicentre of excellence.”
With this recognition, Ibadan Book Club hopes that ANA President will be propelled to pursue more development agenda for ANA and her members.
Ibadan Book Club finally prayed that God would continually direct and strengthen Camillus Ukah and his National Executive Committee members to uplift ANA to a glorious and enviable height.

ANA PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES DR. WALE OKEDIRAN ON HIS EMERGENCE AS PAWA SECRETARY GENERAL

By: ANA Publicity Committee

The President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Camillus Ukah has congratulated Dr. Wale Okediran on his emergence as the newly elected Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).

ANA in a statement signed by its current General Secretary, Maik Ortserga said Dr. Wale Okediran’s unanimous confirmation by the General Council of the Pan African Writers Association to head the body for another three years is a testament to his years of literary experience, achievements and outstanding performance while in office as Acting Secretary General of PAWA.

It would be recalled that Dr. Wale Okediran was first appointed Secretary-General of PAWA in acting capacity in 2020 few years after the death of Prof. Atukwei Okai, the founding Secretary-General of PAWA. Prof. Okai’s death had left the position vacant for about two years.

While wishing Dr. Wale Okediran the best in his new position, ANA President, Camillus Ukah added that he expects Dr. Wale Okediran’s election as Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) will bring more joy and more honour to the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and Nigeria in particular.

ANA President further affirmed that Dr Wale Okediran, who over the years concentrated his energy on rebuilding, rebranding and promoting PAWA will excel in his new position and take the association to enviable heights during his term as the Secretary General of PAWA.

ANA finally joined family, friends and colleagues in wishing Dr. Wale Okediran well in his new endeavour and also prayed to Almighty God to imbue him with good health and wisdom to succeed on the task.

Dr. Okediran brings to the position almost 30 years’ experience as a public servant.

He served as a Member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, contributing to advocacy, regional dialogue and policy development, leading to improvements in health across Africa. He has consulted for several international and local development agencies such as Constella Futures International USA, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, USIS, UNAIDS, NPHCDA, NACA, UNICEF, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, andAction Aid.

Dr. Okediran has published till date, fourteen novels, many of which are on the reading lists of a number of Nigerian universities.His highly acclaimed novel, Tenants of the House, which is a fictional account of his years in the House of Representatives was the 2011 Co-Winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature.

Together with a few friends, Dr. Okediran in 2010 established the first Writers Residency in Nigeria, the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State. This is an initiative that is building and motivating teams of writers across Africa and the world at large.

Dr. Okediran is a Fellow of the General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and Fellow of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, and a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, prior to serving as its National President between 2006 and 2009. Dr. Okediran is currently the Deputy Secretary-General (Africa) for the Union of Writers from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Dr. Okediran holds BSc (Hons) 1977, MB, ChB 1980 from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). In view of his prowess in the field of sports where he variously represented his University and Oyo State, Dr. Okediran was awarded a university scholarship for sports between 1977 and 1980 at the University of Ife.

ANA CONGRATULATES DENJA ABDULAHI ON PAWA AWARD

By: ANA Publicity Committee

Camillus Ukah, President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has said the PAWA ESTEEMED PATRON OF THE ARTS AWARD given to the immediate past President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Denja Abdulahi, is an award well deserved.

In a statement personally signed by ANA General Secretary on Monday and made available to newsmen, Maik Ortserga said Denja Abdulahi meritoriously deserved the award considering his achievements and numerous literary projects done under his administration as the 11th President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

Denja Abdulahi was selected to receive the award by the PAWA Award Committee in recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigerian/African arts and literature.

Part of the release read, “The award did not surprise us in ANA, given the important role Denja Abdulahi has been playing in stabilizing and promoting the largest body of writers in Africa.”

Camillus Ukah led ANA administration also acknowledged the many achievements of Denja Abdulahi led ANA Presidency (2015-2019) which has led to the current developmental works currently ongoing at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village in Abuja.

CAMILLUS UKAH, ANA PRESIDENT TO RECEIVE PAWA AWARD


By: ANA Publicity Committee


The Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) will on 25th of June confer one of the Association’s highest honour on ANA President, Mr. Camillus Ukah.


Currently in his second term in office. Mr. Camillus Ukah was first elected into office in 2020 and was later reelected for a second term last year due to his brilliant and outstanding works.


Camillus Ukah was selected to receive the award in recognition of his contributions and efforts in uplifting ANA via various literary projects and activities he is embarking on as ANA President.


ANA Members across the country are enjoined to attend the investiture ceremony which has been scheduled to take place at the Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan.


Camillus Chima Ukah is a contemporary Nigerian writer educated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka among other institutions. He has authored eleven creative literature books, edited a five hundred and forty-nine page biography composed essentially of creative conversations, scripted and produced two historical documentaries and two motion pictures.


In 2004 he received the ANA Imo Golden Pen Award; in 2006 he was honoured with the ELSA Award of Excellence for his role in mentoring young undergraduate Nigerian writers. One of his novels, When the Wind Blows was, in 2008, long listed for the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature, and in 2012 his entry, Nkechi the Heroine, won the ANA/Lantern Prize. As a critical thinker and gifted intellectual, Ukah has been vigorously engaging the subject of ‘Literature as Tool for Development’ both at national and international forum, while his books keep making waves in Nigeria as subjects of research at undergraduate and post graduate levels; as well as required reading at secondary and tertiary institutions.


He has served the Association of Nigerian Authors in various capacities at both the state and national levels; at the state level, as Financial Secretary, Secretary and Chairman (Imo State); at the national level as member ANA National Constitution Review Committee (2005), member ANA National Teen Authorship Committee (2011-2015), National Coordinator, ANA Teen Authorship Scheme (2015- ), National coordinator, A-BOOK-A-CHILD project (2016- ), Member ANA Land Committee (2016- ) and ANA National President (second term in office).


It was during Ukah’s tenure as Chairman of ANA Imo in 2005 that the branch organized the epoch making state convention where Prof. Charles Nnolim, in a paper titled Contemporary Nigerian Fiction, took a swipe at contemporary Nigerian Writers as fleshly. Nnolim’s generative essay not only drew national attention but it generated international interest in contemporary Nigerian writing. ANA Imo thereafter played host to fourteen literary students and scholars from University of Michigan, Flint during the following year’s convention.


The 2005 ANA Imo convention remains one of the most impactful of its type. Ukah’s administration pursued the gains of that convention with vigour and soon the relevance of creative writing became a demonstrable reality among the government and people of Imo State. By 2006 ANA Imo’s membership had grown from less than twenty members in early 2005 to one hundred and fifty members. It was part of that troupe that besieged the Bayelsa ANA National Convention of 2006 where Imo State, for the first time, won the right to host the 2007 ANA National Convention. It was such a landslide victory with one hundred votes against ANA Niger’s twenty eight votes.


Ukah’s pledge as he took office in April 2005 as ANA Imo Chairman was to help make ANA relevant in the state. The realization of that pledge was eloquently demonstrated during the ANA National Convention of 2007 when the good people of Imo State rallied around ANA Imo to ensure a successful hosting of that convention. Particularly schools that benefitted from ANA Imo’s popular Young Writers Club saw the convention as a payback opportunity and made selfless donations towards the success of the convention. One of the schools, apart from a handsome cash donation of money derived from ‘sign card’, made available two buses for the entire period of the convention with all expenses paid. Such was the kind of goodwill that aptly demonstrated the impact of the activities of ANA in the state.

Camillus Ukah believes strongly in the reward of impact as a sustainable way of growing an association like ANA (LET THE PEOPLE FIRST FEEL THE IMPACT OF YOUR OFFERING AND THEY WILL NATURALLY PARTNER WITH YOU). Certain overtures during Ukah’s leadership of ANA Imo from 2005-2009 and afterwards aptly demonstrate this conviction. In 2007 he was invited by the office of the Petroleum Department, Government House, Owerri to develop a programme for the campaign against youth restiveness in the oil producing areas of Imo State. It was during the heat of the Niger Delta militancy nightmares. He successfully developed a two-hour motion picture entitled ‘Road No Dey’, which was effectively used in the campaign against militancy in secondary schools in the state. The reports of the programmes were published in some national dailies. Based on the huge successes of the Young Writers clubs in secondary and primary schools in Imo State, he was again invited in 2008 by the Imo State Ministry of Education to develop a programme for the improvement of reading culture in the state. He articulated a programme captured in a slogan:
“Let’s go back to books
the sure ladder to excellence
Read your books everyday
Read one book every week
Read four books every month
Read fifty-two books every year
and you will shine as a star.”
The slogan became a popular jingle for media campaign. In the same year and based on the strong waves being made by the reading campaigns in Imo schools, the Imo State Government, against the norm, supported his conference trip to the USA with the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira.


At the demise of the legendary Chinua Achebe, Ukah was contracted as a Consultant to the committee that organised a day of tribute for the late literary icon in Imo State. He was equally commissioned by the Achebe’s National Burial Committee to organise a regional day of tribute for Achebe at Nekede, Owerri where Achebe took the entrance examination to the secondary school. It was Ukah that introduced the then ANA National leadership to the Achebe Burial Committee. In all the above engagements and more, ANA Imo members were the key facilitators.

By the same token of recognition, Ukah has, by invitation, become a visible part of some elevated Igbo intellectual groups. Such groups as Conference of Democratic Scholars; Igbo Studies Association; Alaigbo Development Foundation. Little wonder Ukah naturally became the President of the Eastern Writers Forum on its inception in 2009.


As a people builder, Ukah has been deeply involved in the development of literary talents particularly among the young ones. In the past couple of years he has mounted several reading and writing campaigns at the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions of learning in Imo State and beyond. Presently he runs two creativity centres at Logos International Secondary School and CRM International Secondary School all in Imo State. Between 2012 and 2015 the two schools produced, by self help efforts, about seven thousand five hundred books in four different volumes of anthology. Ukah is enthused to see these young ones grow by the transforming power of literature into both literary practitioners and responsible citizens.


Camillus Ukah is an impactful team player, who has the noble endowment of the humility to naturally subscribe to superior argument irrespective of the source. His consummate preoccupation is the delivery of positive results. To him, any system that does not produce tangible results is akin to ‘discomforting drudgery’ and such a system must be catalysed to assume kinetics. Deploying that strategy, he was able to kick-start and drive activities in ANA Imo to the level of relevance it enjoys even to date at the state, regional and national levels.


As ANA National Vice President, Ukah has worked particularly closely with the kinetic and result-oriented current ANA President as special Presidential Envoy on peace and conflict resolution to bring stability to troubled branches of the association nationwide and fight for welfare of members. His visibility and selfless commitment to the huge successes of the Denja Abdullahi led ANA EXCO (2015-) was partly captured in a recent assessment of some ANA Presidential aspirants for the 2019 ANA National elections by ANA Legal Adviser, Barr. Isaac Ogezi. According to that assessment, Camillus Ukah is always the last to go to bed at National Conventions after ensuring that every delegate has been settled. He is Chief Editor, LIU House of Excellence, Owerri Nigeria. He is married to Dr. Pet. Ukah and they have two grownup children and a grandchild

To read Camillus Ukah’s achievements recorded during his first term in office as ANA President, kindly click on the below link.

https://www.ananigeria.org/news/kinetic-scorecard-camillus-ukahs-ana-presidency-at-a-glance

PAWA CONFERENCE STARTS THURSDAY IN IBADAN AS PREPARATION IN TOP GEAR

By: Wole Adedoyin

The Secretary General of the PAN African Writers Association (PAWA), Dr. Wale Okediran has disclosed that preparation is in top gear toward the PAWA Conference and General Assembly.

Countdown to the much awaited PAWA Conference and General Assembly comes to a crescendo in less than 48 hours as expected delegates/writers from 40 African countries will be arriving from their respective countries.

The Theme of this year Conference is Literature since Makerere 1962: The African Writers’ Pan-African Agenda for Peace, Security, and Cultural Development.

The Programme line-up include Books Exhibition, Keynote Lectures, Panel Discussion, Business Meeting, Festival of Life, Excursions, Awards/Dinner Night.

ANA Secretary General, Dr. Wale Okediran has given firm assurances that PAWA is ready to deliver a memorable conference and finally urged writers, literary enthusiasts and general public to attend.

The Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA), founded in November 1989, is a Ghana-based cultural institution “born in the larger crucible of Pan Africanism. It is an umbrella body of writers’ associations on the African continent and the Diaspora.

PAWA’s mission is to strengthen the cultural and economic bonds between the people on the African continent against the background of the continent’s acknowledged diverse but rich cultural, political and economic heritage.

IMAGES FROM THE FIRST EDITION OF THE READ NIGERIA PROJECT HOSTED BY IBADAN BOOK CLUB

IMAGES FROM THE SECOND EDITION OF THE READ NIGERIA PROJECT HOSTED BY OSOGBO BOOK CLUB

READ NIGERIA PROJECT: SECOND EDITION – GROUP PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AFTER THE READING

SYNW UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR CHAPTER HOLDS 3 DAYS SUMMIT


Information is the oxygen of this century. Transparent Information is pure and undiluted also it's inhalant!

```SOCIETY OF YOUNG NIGERIAN WRITERS

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR CHAPTER (SYNW-UCC)```

_PRESENTS_

*A FREE 3 DAYS ONLINE INFORM SUMMIT*

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6PM -7PM;JAMES NSINKENO(CLIMATE ADVOCATE, SOFT SKILLS TRAINER & PUBLIC SPEAKER)
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6PM -8PM; OBETEN GODFREY (HEAD OF CALABAR BLOG CONTENT DEVELOPMENT)
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MODERATOR;ISMAIL FAITHU(ENTR. BUSINESS CONSULTANT & SALES COACH PROGRAMMER)

FOR MORE ENQUIRIES CALL: CYNTHIA MADUEKWE
+2348094110318

THE ROLE OF LITERATURE IN HUMAN RIGHTS

Being a paper presented at the first Webinar of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) African Chapter by Onyekachi Peter Onuoha, Lecturer at the University of Calabar

As a matter of interpretative convenience this talk reframes the theme of today’s discourse in a rhetorical manner by asking, “What is the role of literature in human rights?

Human rights literature is the appropriation of creative literature as a tool for social change. It is the use of literature to amplify the voices of the oppressed and in the seeking for social justice and equality in the society. Human rights literature re-enacts and reflects society through highlighting of social interactions and actions, which sometimes leads to subjugate of the subalterns within their social space. This social depiction provides a moral focus for those who still have conscience to act in an attempt to correct social ills. Human rights literature is a form of creative testimony that provides a balance of narrative for all parties involved in social controversies to make a case for their own existence through balance of characters depiction and engagement within the framework of art.

African Literature from the time of Achebe until now has played a functional role in social justice and equality in the society. The foregoing foregrounding Achebe’s postulation when he submit, that art for art seek is a deodorised dog shit. Achebe believes in the functionality of literature in the society and that is why he clearly state in Morning Yet on Creation Day that; “I will be quite satisfied if my earliest novels (especially the ones I set in the past) did no more than teach my readers that their past- with all its imperfections- was not one long night of savagery from which the first European acting on God’s behalf delivered them (45). From the foregoing, Achebe’s earliest novels were seeking for the dignity and the rights of Africans within the framework of art. An attempt to reject the human rights violations and exploitation of the colonialist government as depicted in Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God, through literature Achebe makes a case for the pre-literate African society before the coming of colonialism.

Literature as depicted by Achebe frames social justice within alternate spaces and allows us to reimagined situations through the framework of reflection as represented by art. Achebe’s depiction of human interactions in Umuofia in Things Fall Apart implicates the role of literature and human rights when he affirms; “Perhaps what I write is applied art as distinct from pure. (…) art is important but so is education of the kind I have in mind”. This in brief shows that literature assist in the depiction of human rights. The role of human rights literature educates the masses on the abuse of their human rights as foregrounded in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God etc. Literature in human rights is an applied form of literature as clearly illustrated by Achebe. It is a form of literature that makes a case for the masses on their rights and the abuse of their rights in the society.
Sometimes, the role of literature in human rights takes the form of propaganda to draw the attention of the world to the subjugation of the masses. W.E. B. Du Bois in “Criteria for Negro Art” note that; “…all art is propaganda and ever must be, despite the wailing of the purists. I stand in utter shamelessness and say that what ever art I have for writing has been used always for propaganda for gaining the right of black folk to love and enjoy. I do not care a damn for any art that is not used for propaganda. But I do care when propaganda is confined to one side while the others is stripped and silent” (103). Oppression and injustice is backed by a form of propaganda that emphasizes the superiority of one above the other. And W.E.B Du bois thus re-domesticates the operation of the propaganda to seek for the existences of his people through the framework of literature. Feminist literature foregrounds the function of literature in human rights, literature and propaganda in the advancement of equality of gender within the African traditional society as portray by feminist writers in the depiction of subjugated and liberated woman within the framework of art and the African Novel. Feminism is t a clear illustration of the functionality of the role of literature and human rights in the human society. Feminist literature advocates for gender complementarity and gender equality in literature and by extension in the society. Human rights literature through representation re-engages social norms and belief in the society in a form of interactions that reflects various advantages and disadvantages as criteria for change and social justice.

Denis Brutus’ Letter to Martha did a poetic witnessing to pain and trauma in South African prison as a depiction of the functionality of the role of literature and human rights abuse. Poetic witnessing is used to illustrate the climate of uncertainties and a bearer or witness to pain. Brutus’ Letter to Martha is the poetic narrative of the oppressed through an autobiographical presentation of his plights and suffering in the hands of Apartheid administration. Writers over the years have used art as testimony as witnessing against the nation state and its exploitation of the masses within such political discourse. Achebe in witnessing and resistance through poetic composition captures the pain and alienation during the Nigerian Biafran in his Girls at War captures the pain and annihilation of the people of the former eastern region during the Nigerian Biafran Civil war. In recent times, the poetic composition and video recordings on social media captures the not too long python dance in the Eastern states is the to the brutality of the people of the Eastern region and the function of literature as witness to human rights abuses and advocacy in Nigeria. Creative literature aids the dislodgement of the fierce python dancing in Eastern region in the sense that literary and (auto) biographical representations of the actions of the military in that part of Nigeria raises questions on the motives of their actions in the region.

Kan Saro Wiwa through his literary writings and activism seek for social and environment justice for his people within the Nigerian society and the concept of resource control. Saro Wiwa employs literature as a tool for enlightenment and to highlight the effect of oil exploration in the Niger Delta. Many writers after him have used literature to x-ray the effect of oil spillage and the exploitation of the people of the Niger Delta and thereby demanding for social justice. The foregoing illustrate how literature functions within the framework of human rights or how human rights function within the framework of literature as literary materials for the advocacy and the survival of the subalterns in the society.

End SARS poets as depicted in End SARS Rhythms continue in this form of poetic tradition of witnessing and resistance to injustice in Nigeria as an illustration of the role of literature in human rights. The poets through poetic remediation of memory engages in poetic activism and resistances to police brutality in Nigeria. Human rights poetics in literature is a form of literary mediation of resistance and the erecting of memorial in art as confrontation to totalitarian system of governance. The poetics of End SARS Rhythms highlights how poetry participates in movements and fashions its content based on the agitation and redefines the memory of such movement as freezing the memory in poetic frame. The role of literature in human rights is framed in poetic resistance and is founded on the ideological concept of Marxism which is geared toward emancipation of the oppressed in the society. This is also the temperament and the function of literature in human rights. The Editor’s Note in in End SARS Rhythms indicates the functionality of poetic witnessing in literature and by extension the role of human rights thus; “Literature and arts owe society the duty not just to entertain and educate but also to document the history of the people as well as mirror and x-ray the society” (5). End SARS Rhythms does three things which are: to entertain the people within the site of their trauma and brutalisation, document in poetic form various instances of their brutalisation and through this medium question the moral fabric of the society. Through such questioning the poetic rendition of End SARS Rhythms highlight human rights violations and implicates the role of literature as a tool for confrontation of social injustice.

In accounting for Marxism and how it functions in human right literature, Charles Bressler note that;“…society shapes our consciousness; that social… conditions directly influences how what we believe and value…Marxism offers us an opportunity and a plan for changing the world from a play of bigotry, hatred and conflict resulting in class struggle…” (115). Marxist poetic which is steeped in the use of poetry as resistance to oppression in the society highlights such oppression as witnesses against the Nigerian Police force and by extension bad governance in Nigeria. This is an indication of how literature function in human rights. Human rights literature does not only portray abuse of human rights but suggest methods and medium to change such social abnormities and make the world a better place for humans.

Furthermore, Endsars.com is a Digital Storytelling site that hosts testimonial which became part and collect cause for resistance to police brutality and activism during the End SARS in Nigeria. The narratives in Endsars.com are a form of (auto) biographical narrative in blog clearly depicts how police brutalities have destroyed many Nigerian youths. Digital Storytelling becomes testimonies and memorials as a form of activism and resistance to police brutality in Nigeria. #Endsars narratives in #Endsars.com portrayals the damage police brutality has done to many Nigerians and through such narratives keep protesters of #Endsars across Nigeria in the streets during the protest.
In the human rights literature, memory plays an active role in the composition of art. The human memory powers the human creative imagination and leads to literary output. The authorial vision within the framework of art is the principle that aids the gleaning from memory amidst the interfacing influence of the imagination. Onuoha writes about memory that; “Memories are a defining characteristics of man; they are a form of socialisation of self-worth and they are the promise of the definition of what is good and bad in the African traditional environment” (84). Raji’s work strives on memory and poetic justice is one of the cardinal principles of Remi Rjai’s Webs of Remembrance. In the attempt of the poet persona to remember the injustice done to his people by those in the corridor of power the poet persona proclaims hailstone judgement against them amidst the memorials of the afflicted. Michael A. Quinlam writes in regards to poetic justice that; “The study of poetic justice necessarily involves a study of ethical principles in literary art; for the very idea of poetic justice implies a judgement regarding the morality of action. As a result, then, of studying criticism it is possible to come to a partial knowledge of the principles of by which a given races of people was governed at same given time” (ii). What the foregoing highlight is that poetic justice is an act of literary retribution within the work of art and it reflects the morality of the society.

Memory and history is an enabler to the poetic composition of Web of Remembrance. Raji reimagines the past under the same sign of the past even in the present; memory recall makes him to locate the search for justice within the sight of historical crime. Paul Ricoeur corroborates the foregoing that; “Under the sign of the same: “Re-Enacting” the past in the present under the sign of the same. I place the conception of as a re-enactment of the past…(13). Web of Remembrance is a re-enactment of the past and the coming back of traumatic memory of the poet person is a product of history which is powered by memory of such history. Raji’s Web of Remembrance is a re-enactment of memory in fierce remembrance of the evil of military dictatorship and by extension an enactment of memorial for the plight of the masses using poetry as the memorial tomb as an evidence for seeking of justice.

Finally, literature in human rights provides realist evidence on the actions and inactions of man within his immediate environment. it educate man and provides a medium and a second handle in the assessment of man in an alternate space as a representation of his environment. Human rights literature gives man a sort of objective representation to see his actions and relationship with others in his environment. Literature plays a functional role in the liberation of the people and enables the people to change their ways and to be involves in issues that affect them and the society. Human rights seek for the equality of all including the environment in the society.

ENDNOTE

Achebe, Chinua. Morning Yet on Creation Day. Heinemann Educational Books Ltd,
1981
Bressler, Charles. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice.
Paramount Communication Company Publishers Ltd, 2011
Du Bois, W.E. B. “Criteria of Negro Art” in The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader.
Penguin Book, 1929.
Ricoeur, Paul. The Aquinas Lecture: The Reality of The Historical Past. Marquette
University Press, 1984
Quinlan, A. Michael. Poetic Justice : The History of an Ethnical Principle in Literary
Activism. Forgotten Books, 1912


Raji, Remi. Webs of Remembrance. Kraftgriots, 2021

© International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) African Chapter – June, 2022.

ANA COMMISERATES WITH PROF. WOLE SOYINKA OVER BROTHER’S DEATH

By: ANA Publicity Committee

The President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Camillus Ukah has commiserated with Prof. Wole Soyinka over the death of his younger brother, Prof. Femi Soyinka, a former Provost of the College of Health Sciences of Obafemi Awolowo University.
It would be recalled that Prof. Femi Soyinka died in the early hours of Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at his home in Kukumada Village, Ibadan, Oyo State.
General Secretary of ANA, Maik Ortserga disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday.
According to the statement, “Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Professor Wole Soyinka and his family at this trying period, although we know that only God can comfort him.”
“Prof. Femi Soyinka’s death is not only shocking and painful but has also created a vacuum very difficult to fill. He would be deeply missed for his proactive efforts in tackling health challenges confronting Nigerians, particularly the fight against HIV/AIDs.”
ANA further described the passing of Prof. Femi Soyinka as a painful loss to the family, medical profession and the country at large.
The body finally prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and strengthen his family to bear the irreparable loss.
Born in 1937 Professor Femi Soyinka received a Medical degree in Medicine and Surgery MBchB from University of Heidelberg, 1964; and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the same University in 1965. He specialised and practised as a Dermatologist, Venereologist and Allergologist at the University of Giessen, 1969.
In 1972, he obtained a Master of Public Health degree from Hadassah Medical School, (MPH) Israel.
He worked in the academic field for 30 years, holding various positions from Chief Medical Director to Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Provost of College of Health Sciences of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He was also involved in ex-tensive research work on Tropical Skin Diseases and Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in collaboration with the Federal government, international donor agencies and organizations such as the World Bank, UNDP, DFID, the British Council; and the International Development Re-search Centre, Canada.
He pioneered several researches in the field of HIV/AIDS and worked as consultant to various international and local agencies including the World Health Organization, DFID, UNDP and Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health based on his extensive experience on the subject in various parts of the country.
Prof. Femi Soyinka was in the forefront of mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. By translating the outcomes of his researches into clinical practice. He impacted significantly not only in the lives of numerous individuals and families living with the disease, but also on the nation as a whole.
He initiated the Ambassador of Hope program in Nigeria, encouraging people living with HIV/AIDs (PLWHAs) to speak up, thereby bringing the much-needed public awareness to the disease at a time when knowledge was low and stigma was high. He also demonstrated technical knowledge and was involved with many other HIV/AIDs related programs including HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, ARV programs, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and home-based care for PLWHAs in Nigeria.
Subsequently, he contributed significantly to capacity building of indigenous organizations across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria through his non-governmental organization – New Initiative for the Enhancement of Life and Health (NELAH) previously known as; Network on Ethics/Human Rights, Law, HIV/AIDS-Prevention, Support and Care (NELA). He was a past president of Society for AIDS in Africa and he successfully coordinated the International Conference on AIDS and STIS In Africa (ICASA) in Abuja, Nigeria in the year 2005.
He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Burial arrangements would be announced by the family later.

THE ROLE OF LITERATURE IN HUMAN RIGHTS

Being a paper presented at the first Webinar of the International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) African Chapter by , Lecturer at the University of Calabar

As a matter of interpretative convenience this talk reframes the theme of today’s discourse in a rhetorical manner by asking, “What is the role of literature in human rights?

Human rights literature is the appropriation of creative literature as a tool for social change. It is the use of literature to amplify the voices of the oppressed and in the seeking for social justice and equality in the society. Human rights literature re-enacts and reflects society through highlighting of social interactions and actions, which sometimes leads to subjugate of the subalterns within their social space. This social depiction provides a moral focus for those who still have conscience to act in an attempt to correct social ills. Human rights literature is a form of creative testimony that provides a balance of narrative for all parties involved in social controversies to make a case for their own existence through balance of characters depiction and engagement within the framework of art.

African Literature from the time of Achebe until now has played a functional role in social justice and equality in the society. The foregoing foregrounding Achebe’s postulation when he submit, that art for art seek is a deodorised dog shit. Achebe believes in the functionality of literature in the society and that is why he clearly state in Morning Yet on Creation Day that; “I will be quite satisfied if my earliest novels (especially the ones I set in the past) did no more than teach my readers that their past- with all its imperfections- was not one long night of savagery from which the first European acting on God’s behalf delivered them (45). From the foregoing, Achebe’s earliest novels were seeking for the dignity and the rights of Africans within the framework of art. An attempt to reject the human rights violations and exploitation of the colonialist government as depicted in Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God, through literature Achebe makes a case for the pre-literate African society before the coming of colonialism.

Literature as depicted by Achebe frames social justice within alternate spaces and allows us to reimagined situations through the framework of reflection as represented by art. Achebe’s depiction of human interactions in Umuofia in Things Fall Apart implicates the role of literature and human rights when he affirms; “Perhaps what I write is applied art as distinct from pure. (…) art is important but so is education of the kind I have in mind”. This in brief shows that literature assist in the depiction of human rights. The role of human rights literature educates the masses on the abuse of their human rights as foregrounded in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God etc. Literature in human rights is an applied form of literature as clearly illustrated by Achebe. It is a form of literature that makes a case for the masses on their rights and the abuse of their rights in the society.
Sometimes, the role of literature in human rights takes the form of propaganda to draw the attention of the world to the subjugation of the masses. W.E. B. Du Bois in “Criteria for Negro Art” note that; “…all art is propaganda and ever must be, despite the wailing of the purists. I stand in utter shamelessness and say that what ever art I have for writing has been used always for propaganda for gaining the right of black folk to love and enjoy. I do not care a damn for any art that is not used for propaganda. But I do care when propaganda is confined to one side while the others is stripped and silent” (103). Oppression and injustice is backed by a form of propaganda that emphasizes the superiority of one above the other. And W.E.B Du bois thus re-domesticates the operation of the propaganda to seek for the existences of his people through the framework of literature. Feminist literature foregrounds the function of literature in human rights, literature and propaganda in the advancement of equality of gender within the African traditional society as portray by feminist writers in the depiction of subjugated and liberated woman within the framework of art and the African Novel. Feminism is t a clear illustration of the functionality of the role of literature and human rights in the human society. Feminist literature advocates for gender complementarity and gender equality in literature and by extension in the society. Human rights literature through representation re-engages social norms and belief in the society in a form of interactions that reflects various advantages and disadvantages as criteria for change and social justice.

Denis Brutus’ Letter to Martha did a poetic witnessing to pain and trauma in South African prison as a depiction of the functionality of the role of literature and human rights abuse. Poetic witnessing is used to illustrate the climate of uncertainties and a bearer or witness to pain. Brutus’ Letter to Martha is the poetic narrative of the oppressed through an autobiographical presentation of his plights and suffering in the hands of Apartheid administration. Writers over the years have used art as testimony as witnessing against the nation state and its exploitation of the masses within such political discourse. Achebe in witnessing and resistance through poetic composition captures the pain and alienation during the Nigerian Biafran in his Girls at War captures the pain and annihilation of the people of the former eastern region during the Nigerian Biafran Civil war. In recent times, the poetic composition and video recordings on social media captures the not too long python dance in the Eastern states is the to the brutality of the people of the Eastern region and the function of literature as witness to human rights abuses and advocacy in Nigeria. Creative literature aids the dislodgement of the fierce python dancing in Eastern region in the sense that literary and (auto) biographical representations of the actions of the military in that part of Nigeria raises questions on the motives of their actions in the region.

Kan Saro Wiwa through his literary writings and activism seek for social and environment justice for his people within the Nigerian society and the concept of resource control. Saro Wiwa employs literature as a tool for enlightenment and to highlight the effect of oil exploration in the Niger Delta. Many writers after him have used literature to x-ray the effect of oil spillage and the exploitation of the people of the Niger Delta and thereby demanding for social justice. The foregoing illustrate how literature functions within the framework of human rights or how human rights function within the framework of literature as literary materials for the advocacy and the survival of the subalterns in the society.

End SARS poets as depicted in End SARS Rhythms continue in this form of poetic tradition of witnessing and resistance to injustice in Nigeria as an illustration of the role of literature in human rights. The poets through poetic remediation of memory engages in poetic activism and resistances to police brutality in Nigeria. Human rights poetics in literature is a form of literary mediation of resistance and the erecting of memorial in art as confrontation to totalitarian system of governance. The poetics of End SARS Rhythms highlights how poetry participates in movements and fashions its content based on the agitation and redefines the memory of such movement as freezing the memory in poetic frame. The role of literature in human rights is framed in poetic resistance and is founded on the ideological concept of Marxism which is geared toward emancipation of the oppressed in the society. This is also the temperament and the function of literature in human rights. The Editor’s Note in in End SARS Rhythms indicates the functionality of poetic witnessing in literature and by extension the role of human rights thus; “Literature and arts owe society the duty not just to entertain and educate but also to document the history of the people as well as mirror and x-ray the society” (5). End SARS Rhythms does three things which are: to entertain the people within the site of their trauma and brutalisation, document in poetic form various instances of their brutalisation and through this medium question the moral fabric of the society. Through such questioning the poetic rendition of End SARS Rhythms highlight human rights violations and implicates the role of literature as a tool for confrontation of social injustice.

In accounting for Marxism and how it functions in human right literature, Charles Bressler note that;“…society shapes our consciousness; that social… conditions directly influences how what we believe and value…Marxism offers us an opportunity and a plan for changing the world from a play of bigotry, hatred and conflict resulting in class struggle…” (115). Marxist poetic which is steeped in the use of poetry as resistance to oppression in the society highlights such oppression as witnesses against the Nigerian Police force and by extension bad governance in Nigeria. This is an indication of how literature function in human rights. Human rights literature does not only portray abuse of human rights but suggest methods and medium to change such social abnormities and make the world a better place for humans.

Furthermore, Endsars.com is a Digital Storytelling site that hosts testimonial which became part and collect cause for resistance to police brutality and activism during the End SARS in Nigeria. The narratives in Endsars.com are a form of (auto) biographical narrative in blog clearly depicts how police brutalities have destroyed many Nigerian youths. Digital Storytelling becomes testimonies and memorials as a form of activism and resistance to police brutality in Nigeria. #Endsars narratives in #Endsars.com portrayals the damage police brutality has done to many Nigerians and through such narratives keep protesters of #Endsars across Nigeria in the streets during the protest.
In the human rights literature, memory plays an active role in the composition of art. The human memory powers the human creative imagination and leads to literary output. The authorial vision within the framework of art is the principle that aids the gleaning from memory amidst the interfacing influence of the imagination. Onuoha writes about memory that; “Memories are a defining characteristics of man; they are a form of socialisation of self-worth and they are the promise of the definition of what is good and bad in the African traditional environment” (84). Raji’s work strives on memory and poetic justice is one of the cardinal principles of Remi Rjai’s Webs of Remembrance. In the attempt of the poet persona to remember the injustice done to his people by those in the corridor of power the poet persona proclaims hailstone judgement against them amidst the memorials of the afflicted. Michael A. Quinlam writes in regards to poetic justice that; “The study of poetic justice necessarily involves a study of ethical principles in literary art; for the very idea of poetic justice implies a judgement regarding the morality of action. As a result, then, of studying criticism it is possible to come to a partial knowledge of the principles of by which a given races of people was governed at same given time” (ii). What the foregoing highlight is that poetic justice is an act of literary retribution within the work of art and it reflects the morality of the society.

Memory and history is an enabler to the poetic composition of Web of Remembrance. Raji reimagines the past under the same sign of the past even in the present; memory recall makes him to locate the search for justice within the sight of historical crime. Paul Ricoeur corroborates the foregoing that; “Under the sign of the same: “Re-Enacting” the past in the present under the sign of the same. I place the conception of as a re-enactment of the past…(13). Web of Remembrance is a re-enactment of the past and the coming back of traumatic memory of the poet person is a product of history which is powered by memory of such history. Raji’s Web of Remembrance is a re-enactment of memory in fierce remembrance of the evil of military dictatorship and by extension an enactment of memorial for the plight of the masses using poetry as the memorial tomb as an evidence for seeking of justice.

Finally, literature in human rights provides realist evidence on the actions and inactions of man within his immediate environment. it educate man and provides a medium and a second handle in the assessment of man in an alternate space as a representation of his environment. Human rights literature gives man a sort of objective representation to see his actions and relationship with others in his environment. Literature plays a functional role in the liberation of the people and enables the people to change their ways and to be involves in issues that affect them and the society. Human rights seek for the equality of all including the environment in the society.

ENDNOTE

Achebe, Chinua. Morning Yet on Creation Day. Heinemann Educational Books Ltd,
1981
Bressler, Charles. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice.
Paramount Communication Company Publishers Ltd, 2011
Du Bois, W.E. B. “Criteria of Negro Art” in The Portable Harlem Renaissance Reader.
Penguin Book, 1929.
Ricoeur, Paul. The Aquinas Lecture: The Reality of The Historical Past. Marquette
University Press, 1984
Quinlan, A. Michael. Poetic Justice : The History of an Ethnical Principle in Literary
Activism. Forgotten Books, 1912


Raji, Remi. Webs of Remembrance. Kraftgriots, 2021

© International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) African Chapter – June, 2022.

IBADAN BOOK CLUB SET TO HOST THE THIRD EDITION OF THE READ NIGERIA PROJECT

Ibadan Book Club has expressed readiness to host the third edition of the Read Nigeria Project.
A statement issued by the Coordinator and Secretary of the club, Ayobami Odunyemi and Hassanat Ayoade said the event would take place at the Oyo State Library Board, Opposite Cocoa House, Ibadan by 12PM prompt.

Read Nigeria Project is a nationwide chain of reading events administered by Adwinsa Publications (Gh) Ltd. The reading will be hosting four Ibadan-based teen writers, Stephen Ajeigbe, Peace Akindimeji Akin-Tella, Chukwudi Divine and Ayuba Gbolahan in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The project also hopes to promote book reading through different events like book bee, quiz contests and other mediums across the country irrespective of tribe, color, sect, age, religion and gender.

MEET OUR GUEST WRITERS/READERS

STEPHEN AJEIGBE

Ajeigbe Stephen was born in the year 2008 in Ibadan, Oyo state and he resides there, as he grew up, he never knew he had the talent of writing poems but he tried to be an artist but unfortunately, he discovered it was not in him, at the age of thirteen, he was taken to Ibadan book club by Mr Marcus Ugboduma and when he saw others displaying their talents. By the time it was over, he left very sad because he had nothing to display. At that point Mr. Marcus inspired him to be a poet. He wrote his first poem titled beauty and some other titles "friendship" and “anger in a man". Stephen is a member of The Book Friendly Club of God's blessing Comprehensive College and also the Ibadan Book Club.

He feels privileged to have read his first poem ever on the floors of the Ibadan Book Club.

Stephen is a writer per excellence, who seizes every opportunity available to write poems.

He now believes that with constant personal and group reading and learning with book club members, he hopes to write more poems sooner.

Stephen is sure that in the future, his poems will flood the world as the biggest writer of poems, his current poem is titled "Education with Godliness".

PEACE AKINDIMEJI AKIN-TELLA

Akin-Tella Peace Akindimeji was born on 29th day of September 2008, in Ibadan.

Peace did not start writing Early enough, but preferred reading. His ability to write was discovered at the age of 13, when he saw his classmates and other friends writing and feeling happy with their works being read in gathering and on the School assembly ground, also at that point came the constant boastings of one of his teachers, Mr Marcus Ugboduma, The coordinator of the Book Friendly Club of his school, who used to boast about his students writing prowess and creative skills, especially in Poetry and prose.

He also constantly advised that writing was going to help them academically and it was capable of taking them to greater heights.

This prompted Peace to write his first set of poems which includes: "Why death", "Ibadan",
" I am strong" and "Foolishness."

Peace Akin- Tella is currently a member of his School's Choir, The JETS Club, the Book Friendly Club of God's Blessing Comprehensive College and the Ibadan Book Club.

He has represented his School in several competitions and most recently The Science Teachers Association of Nigeria OLYMPIAD 2022, at the junior category. He looks forward to becoming a renowned Science fiction writer in the near future. His Parental encouragement has been his source of inspiration in Writing.


CHUKWUDI DIVINE

Chukwudi Divine is a member of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW). He writes fiction and nonfiction.


AYUBA GBOLAHAN

Ayuba Gbolahan is a metaphysical poet, a speaker and a writer. He loves reading and as a result of that, he was nicknamed, bookworm. Gbolahan is currently the Publicity Secretary of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Oyo State Chapter)

THREE OSUN-BASED WRITERS TO HEADLINE READ NIGERIA PROJECT IN OSOGBO

Read Nigeria Project, a nationwide chain of reading events administered by Adwinsa Publications (Gh) Ltd has set aside Saturday 18th day of June, 2022 to host three Osun-based writers, Babatunde Abdulhakim Adekunle, Abdulazeez Suliyat Boluwatife and Olaonipekun Olatunde in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

A statement issued by the Coordinator and Secretary of the club, Grace Godwin and Ahmed Aishat said the second phase of the sensitization reading would take place at No 20, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ibuaje Micro Finance Bank Building, Pepsi Cola, Area Osogbo, Osun State by 12PM prompt.

Read Nigeria Project is a project devoted for readers and lovers of books across Nigeria to celebrate and honour some selected important personalities who have contributed meaningfully to the learning and reading culture of the country.

The project also hopes to promote book reading through different events like book bee, quiz contests and other mediums across the country irrespective of tribe, color, sect, age, religion and gender.

Adwinsa Publications was established in March of 1977 in Madina, a suburb of Accra, the capital of Ghana in West Africa. The young business at the time began in the CEO’s house. During the late 1980’s Adwinsa went from a small location to Accra Newtown, also in the Capital City. During this time we also embraced “desktop publishing” (which was also an industry in its infancy) as well as commercial offset printing. From the year 2000 to 2014, we have added multiple high speed printing machines that propelled us into a new level of high-quality offset printing. We also built and expanded our services by putting up an office complex in Agbobga in Accra, Ghana.

The publishing firm is considered experts in Junior and Senior High school syllabus based text books in Ghana. The firm focuses on books for the Basic, secondary and tertiary institutions that have been largely acknowledged locally by students, parents, governments and the international community. As a family-owned company, one of Adwinsa Publications’ strengths is its focus on the family and its desire to see families succeed in education, especially in the long term development of every child in the family.

MEET OUR GUEST WRITERS

BABATUNDE ABDULHAKIM ADEKUNLE

Babatunde Abdulhakim Adekunle is a student of the University of Ibadan. He is studying Education and English.

Abdulhakim is a content creator, Motivational writer, poet. He writes for different blogs among which is Cornelius blog and international Writers among others.

He belongs to different writers' Academy and has received different certificates within and outside Nigeria.

Abdulhakim, however, has been a voice for Nigerian students in his institution and has been working tirelessly to support individuals one way or the other and this has earned him awards both in school and off school.

As at the time of this reading, Babatunde is the Coordinator of Ilesha Book Club

ABDULAZEEZ SULIYAT BOLUWATIFE

Abdulazeez Suliyat Boluwatife is a Student of Saint Mark's Commercial High School, Osogbo, Osun State. She is a staunch member of Osogbo Book Club and the International Women Writing Guild, USA. Suliyat is a short story writer.


OLAONIPEKUN OLATUNDE

Olaonipekun Olatunde is an indigene of Osun State. Attended the prestigious Ilesa Grammar School for his secondary education. He had his undergraduate and post-graduate studies at the great citadel of learning Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife in the Computer Science and Engineering Department and graduated as an Engineer. Poetry found him and he embraced it by expanding his horizon,he has great affinity and love for words.
The pen and paper is his office and this has led him to write lots of poetry getting inspired from every angle.
He is an active player both offline and online in poetry circles. He has a collection of poetry waiting to be produced before the years run out. He sees himself as a poetical engineer.

OSOGBO BOOK CLUB SET TO HOST THE SECOND PHASE OF THE READ NIGERIA PROJECT


Osogbo Book Club has expressed her readiness to host the second phase of the Read Nigeria Project.


Read Nigeria Project, a nationwide chain of reading events administered by Adwinsa Publications (Gh) Ltd has set aside Saturday 18th day of June, 2022 to host three Osun-based writers, Babatunde Abdulhakim Adekunle, Abdulazeez Suliyat Boluwatife and Olaonipekun Olatunde in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.


A statement issued by the Coordinator and Secretary of the club, Grace Godwin and Ahmed Aishat said the second phase of the sensitization reading would take place at No 20, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ibuaje Micro Finance Bank Building, Pepsi Cola, Area Osogbo, Osun State by 12PM prompt.


Read Nigeria Project is a project devoted for readers and lovers of books across Nigeria to celebrate and honour some selected important personalities who have contributed meaningfully to the learning and reading culture of the country.


The project also hopes to promote book reading through different events like book bee, quiz contests and other mediums across the country irrespective of tribe, color, sect, age, religion and gender.


Adwinsa Publications was established in March of 1977 in Madina, a suberb of Accra, the capital of Ghana in West Africa. The young business at the time began in the CEO’s house. During the late 1980’s Adwinsa went from a small location to Accra Newtown, also in the Capital City. During this time we also embraced “desktop publishing” (which was also an industry in its infancy) as well as commercial offset printing. From the year 2000 to 2014, we have added multiple high speed printing machines that propelled us into a new level of high-quality offset printing. We also built and expanded our services by putting up an office complex in Agbobga in Accra, Ghana.


The publishing firm is considered experts in Junior and Senior High school syllabus based text books in Ghana. The firm focuses on books for the Basic, secondary and tertiary institutions that have been largely acknowledged locally by students, parents, governments and the international community. As a family-owned company, one of Adwinsa Publications’ strengths is its focus on the family and its desire to see families succeed in education, especially in the long term development of every child in the family.


MEET OUR GUEST WRITERS


BABATUNDE ABDULHAKIM ADEKUNLE


Babatunde Abdulhakim Adekunle is a student of the University of Ibadan. He is studying Education and English.

Abdulhakim is a content creator, Motivational writer, poet. He writes for different blogs among which is Cornelius blog and international Writers among others.

He belongs to different writers' Academy and has received different certificates within and outside Nigeria.

Abdulhakim, however, has been a voice for Nigerian students in his institution and has been working tirelessly to support individuals one way or the other and this has earned him awards both in school and off school.

As at the time of this reading, Babatunde is the Coordinator of Ilesha Book Club.


ABDULAZEEZ SULIYAT BOLUWATIFE


Abdulazeez Suliyat Boluwatife is a Student of Saint Mark's Commercial High School, Osogbo, Osun State. She is a staunch member of Osogbo Book Club and the International Women Writing Guild, USA. Suliyat is a short story writer.



OLAONIPEKUN OLATUNDE


Olaonipekun Olatunde is an indigene of Osun State. Attended the prestigious Ilesa Grammar School for his secondary education. He had his undergraduate and post-graduate studies at the great citadel of learning Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife in the Computer Science and Engineering Department and graduated as an Engineer. Poetry found him and he embraced it by expanding his horizon,he has great affinity and love for words.
The pen and paper is his office and this has led him to write lots of poetry getting inspired from every angle.
He is an active player both offline and online in poetry circles. He has a collection of poetry waiting to be produced before the years run out. He sees himself as a poetical engineer.

THE PAN AFRICAN WRITERS ASSOCIATION (PAWA) CONFERENCE AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

DATE: June 23 to 25 2022

VENUE: Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Writers from 40 African Countries will be in attendance.

PARTNERS
Nigerian Academy Of Letters (NAL) and the Association Of Nigerian Authors (ANA)

THEME: Literature Since Makerere 1962: The African Writers’ Pan-African Agenda For Peace, Security and Cultural Development.

HIGHLIGHTS

Keynote Lectures
Panel Discussions
Business Meeting
Festival Of Life
Excursions
Awards/Dinner Night

P.S.
Conference will be Physical and Virtual. (Zoom details later)

RSVP
Dr Wale Okediran
PAWA Secretary General
waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

IBADAN BOOK CLUB EULOGISES GOV MAKINDE’S WIFE, TAMUNOMININI ON HER BIRTHDAY


Ibadan Book Club on Thursday felicitated with the First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde, on the occasion of her 50th Birthday.


In a statement issued by Odunyemi Ayobami, the Coordinator of Ibadan Book Club said, members of the Club expressed delight with Mrs. Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde’s humanitarian activities.


According to her, her Excellency, Mrs. Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde is a woman of substance, a team leader who inspires others, in addition to her humility which is an essential ingredient of leadership. She also described the governor’s wife as a rare gem who is supportive and a shoulder to lean on at all times.


The club further noted that as First Lady of Oyo State, the governor’s wife had been transforming and uplifting the quality of life of widows and the less privileged members of society.


Ibadan Book Club finally wished Mrs. Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde a happy 50th birthday celebration and prayed that God almighty will grant her many more years of good health and strength.

NIGERIAN WRITERS COMMISSION SECRETARIAT AT MAMMAN VATSA WRITERS VILLAGE

By Maik Ortserga

The weekend of 20-22 May, 2022 included a range of activities that brought Nigerian writers together at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Mpape Abuja. The event was the commissioning of the Femi Osofisan Secretariat within the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre. The roll call of major writers included Emeritus Prof. Femi Osofisan, Prof. Olu Obafemi, Prof. Tanure Ojaide, Prof. Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo, Prof. Mallam Al -Bishak, Prof. Razinat T. Mohammed, Prof. Idris Amali, Prof. Moses Tsenongu, Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo, Dr. Maria Ajima, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Dr. Obari Gomba and a host of others.

The commissioning of the secretariat took place in the afternoon of Saturday 21May, 2022 intended to provide a safe space for ANA to carry out its administrative work efficiently . The commissioning was done by no less a personality than the Almin Musulmi of Idoma land and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin and Nasarawa State University, Emerutus Prof. Shamsudeen Amali. In his speech, ANA president Camillus Ukah thanked the almighty God for counting him worthy to complete bring for commissioning what was started by his predecessors like Mallam Denja Abdullahi who he likened to the biblical Moses that handed over to him, a Joshua, to take ANA to the Promise land. He explained that the naming of the secretariat after Emeritus Prof. Femi Osofisan could not be faulted due to Osofisan's resilience in ensuring that ANA is not lost to the antics of opportunist who wanted to wreck the vision of of founding fathers by fractionalizing the Association.

It was a solemn moment of meditation when Prof. Mallam Al - Bishak, with his profound oratorical equipage reeled off Prof. Shamsudeen Amali's citation, mesmerising Nigerian writers with the the tale of a Muslim - Catholic marriage between Prof. S. Amali and Prof. Mrs M. Amali which has lasted for over forty years and has been cited as a symbol of religious tolerance expected of Nigerians. Before cutting the tape, the Almin Musulmi of Idoma land appreciated the ANA President and the national executives for living up to expectation.
Much of the day was taken over by the Mbari Series May edition, held inside the newly furnished conference hall within the Femi Osofisan Secretariat. Mbari has a fascinating history. It was founded in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1961 by Ulli Beier, with the involvement of a group of young writers including Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe. Mbari, an Igbo concept related to "creation", was suggested as the name by Achebe. Among other Mbari members were Christopher Okigbo, J. P. Clark and South African writer Ezekiel Mphahlele, Frances Ademola, Demas Nwoko, Mabel Segun, Uche Okeke, Arthur Nortje and Bruce Onobrakpeya.

The Camillus Ukah led exco of ANA has since revived the Mbari Series. The May edition came under the theme "The Story as a Donkey" and was moderated by the duo of Prof. Mallam Al -Bishak and Prof. Razinat Mohammed. Most of the discussants saw the theme as metaphoric, a demonstration of how the story has been overburdened like a donkey, others saw the story from the angle of strength, commitment and stubbornness that is reflective of the donkey.There was also a special reading from the poet laureate Dr. Obari Gomba, winner of the 2022 PAWA Poetry Prize, which thrilled the audience.

The rest of the evening was taken over by a reading session, featuring the environmental poet Dr. Greg Mbajiorgwu. Prof. Chimalun Nwankwo's forklorist poem mesmerised the gathering while Prof. Tanure Ojaide's poem descended like an axe on the craze for foreign football that has taken over the Aftican continent, enslaving our people. The spoken world poet, Atta Dhe Titan took over the floor with his poem "How I killed Suiicide" which was quite electrifying. The reading session ended with a sumptuous dinner.

Sunday was slated for departure so writers were preparing to move out of their hotels to catch their flights or board their buses, then word sailed in that the Almin Musulmi of Idoma land Prof. Shamsudeen Amali has invited writers for breakfast in his residence. It was indeed a banquet that awaited Nigerian writers that early Sunday morning.

As one young writer said , “this large family of Writers called ANA is, indeed, a place to connect, talk, learn, geek out and write – what more could you want?” We couldn’t agree more!

ANA CONGRATULATES PROF. AKACHI ADIMORA EZEIGBO ON FONLON-NICHOLS AWARD.

By: ANA Publicity Committee

The President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Camillus Ukah has said that the Fonlon-Nichols Award given to the Chairperson of the Advisory Board for the Nigerian Prize for Literature and Emeritus Professor of English, Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo is an award well deserved.

A statement by ANA General Secretary, Maik Ortserga said that Prof. Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo meritoriously deserved the award considering her achievements and contributions to the development of Literature in Nigeria and Africa.

The Statement reads "Ma, we salute your unwavering commitment to the core values of excellence, integrity, probity and selfless service in piloting the affairs of the Nigeria Prize for Literature under your leadership as the Chairperson of the Advisory Board for the Prize."

"Ma, ANA is pleased to see you accomplishing the various milestone achievements in your field of endeavor."

"With this international award, it shows that all your efforts to move literature forward in Nigeria and Africa were being noticed!"

"While wishing you continued success in all you seek to achieve, please, accept our heartiest congratulations on being confered with such a prestigious award."

The Fonlon-Nichols is awarded to an African writer for excellence in creative writing and contributions to the struggle for human rights and freedom of expression. The award comes with a $1,000.00 cash prize.

At its 1993 meeting in Guadeloupe, the Executive of the African Literature Association resolved that the Award be conferred regularly at the annual meetings of the ALA.

Past recipients of the award are: 2018: Abdellatif Abdalla, 2016: Tanure Ojaide, 2015: Pepetela, 2014: Nadine Gordimer, 2013: Albie Sachs, 2012: Mbulelo Mzamane, 2011: Isidore Okpewho, 2010: Odia Ofeimun, 2009: Tess Onwueme, 2008: Chukwuemeka Ike, 2007: Nawal El Saadawi, 2006: Femi Osofisan, 2005: Dennis Brutus, 2004: Pius Ngandu Nkashama, 2003: Emmanuel Dongala, 2002: Jack Mapanje, 2001: Nuruddin Farah, 2000: Wole Soyinka, 1999: Abdellatif Laäbi, 1998: Niyi Osundare, 1997: Assia Djebar, 1996: Ngugi wa Thiong'o, 1995: Sony Labou Tansi, 1994: Ken Saro-Wiwa, 1993: Werewere Liking, 1992: Mongo Beti & René Philombe.