The attention of global literary community will be on Nigeria, from this weekend, as the country’s literati opens a floodgate of events to commemorate the golden jubilee of the world-acclaimed -novel, Things Fall Apart, written by Professor Chinua Achebe.

The avalanche of events, which is being spearheaded by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is billed for places considered leading lights of Nigerian Literature, and significant to the literary beginnings of Achebe.

The occasion, which is coming under the theme, Things Fall Apart: Telling the World the African Story is billed for Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Awka, and Nsukka, in Anambra and Enugu States respectively. Published by Heinemann Publishers and reputed to be the first African novel to receive global critical acclaim, Things Fall Apart has been translated to more than 60 languages and won the author over 60 Honourary Doctorate degrees.

Given these significant landmarks, ANA, which, incidentally was established by Achebe, 27 years ago, is not occupying the backseat in celebrating its founding father. The Local Organising Committee headed by Professor Ossie Enekwe, has been working assiduously to make Nsukka which is hosting the international colloquium a Mecca of sort, for the over 500 Nigerian and foreign writers expected at the event which culminates in Anambra and Enugu States from Wednesday 23rd, through Saturday, April 26, 2008.

Giving an insight into the events slated for the eastern leg of the celebration, during a courtesy visit to The Sun’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, ANA president, Dr. Wale Okediran disclosed that the organizers have received words from former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and two formers Presidents, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, to attend opening ceremony in Nsukka as Special Guests.

Okediran, however, disclosed that Professor Ngugi Wa Thiongo who was initially chosen as keynote Speaker at the opening ceremony, on April 25, has been replaced with Nigeria’s U.S.-based author and critic, Professor Emmanuel Obiechina. According to him, the TFA’s anniversary coincides with the biennial African Literature Association (ALA) summit in the US, which the Kenya-born writer will be attending as one of the frontrunners of the continental body. The international colloquium on TFA continues thereafter and will examine the author, themes and landscapes of the great novel and other developments in storytelling since TFA.

The last event of the day is the staging of the winning entry of the adaptation competition on Achebe’s other works outside TFA, by the students of the Department of Theatre Arts, UNN.

The colloquium tagged Voices on Seven Hills continues on the following day, before the event rounds off with an Evening of Awards, dinner, speeches, and a second performance of the winning adaptation at the Princess Alexandria Auditorium, of UNN. Before then and precisely on Wednesday, April 23, the celebrators and their guests would have undertaken an excursion trip to Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, Achebe’s country-home and other fascinating locations mentioned in TFA. The visit, tagged Experiencing the Landscape of the Novel, apparently is to let the visitors have a feel of the places that inspired the Achebe to produce the classic.

Later in the evening, action returns to Awka, the Anambra State capital, where the start governor, Mr. Peter Obi will host writers to a luncheon at the start house, Awka. The programme also reveals that a reading session, labeled Night of Griots and parading some of the doyen of Nigerian writings and the arts, including: Wole Soyinka, Gabriel Okara, Jimi Solanke, Elechi Amadi, Chukwu Emeka, Mabel Segun, Demas Nwoko, Okey Ndibe, Femi Osofisan, Hajiya Abdul Waheed ( Ist female Hausa novelist). Imeh Ikide, among others will take place at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka.

Meanwhile, the celebration flags-off at the National Theatre, Lagos, this weekend, with an interactive session on the theme of the novel. Organized by the Lagos branch of the association in collaboration with the National Theatre/national Troupe of Nigeria will feature as speakers, kaine Agary, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, and Dr. Ahmed Yerima. The chairman of the occasion is Ambassador Segun Olusola while Mr. Chike Ofili, Chairman ANA Lagos, will moderate the event. Sequel to the talkshop is an evening of dance tributes by artiste of National Troupe of Nigeria. From Lagos, the celebration train moves to Abuja on Thursday April 17, where a variety of activities including a discussion session, quiz competition, readings and role modeling session by teenage authors, have been put together by Abuja literary community. TV presenter, Eugenia Abu will speak on the theme, Things Fall Apart and the Nigerian Child, under the chairmanship of the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu. Other activities slated for the Abuja leg of TFA at 50 include: poetry, performances, variety shows and the screening of NTA’s production of the famous novel. Ibadan capital of Oyo State and a city with pedigree for literary activities is not left out of the celebration, as it host a symposium on the anniversary’s theme on Saturday, April 19.

The symposium will feature as guest speaker, professor Shamsudeen Amali, a professor of Theatre Arts and former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Dr. Festus Iyayi, university of Benin, Dr. Reuben Abati, chairman, Editorial board, The Guardian and Miss Tayo Ajayi of the Obafemi Awolowo university, Ile-Ife. The outing will be rounded off with the performance of Biyi Bandele’s adaptation of Things Fall Apart, by the artistes of the Jos Repertory Theatre, Jos, at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan.
With corporate support from Fidelity Bank, Chiki Instant Noodles and Heinemann, the event is being packaged by McClems Marketing Communications.