…as Tahav Agerzua calls for restoration of conference on African literature

By Henry Akubuiro

Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua, has called for the revival of the Conference for African Literature which used to draw African Writers from across Africa.

Mr. Agerzua made the call while addressing National Officials of the Association of Nigerian Authors ANA, who were in Benue recently on assessment of facilities preparatory to the 2017 International Annual Convention of the Association currently holding in Makurdi.

He proposed that the venue of the conference should also be moved from Calabar, Cross Rivers State to Makurdi Benue State and that, when eventually moved to Makurdi, the Benue State University should be used as the venue for the important literary function.

Mr. Agerzua also urged ANA members in Benue State to take up the challenge of writing the biography of the famous Idoma born music legend, Mr.Bongos Ikwe, who had contributed in his own way to the growth of Literature in Nigeria.

The Special Adviser appealed to the National Officials of ANA and the Local Organising Committee for the association’s forthcoming convention to create space for the performance of one of the oldest and surviving Tiv Folk Singers, Mr.Pevkyaa Zegi, along with the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture.

According to Mr.Agerzua, a book had been written in honour of the Tiv Folk Singer by a member of ANA Benue as part of measures to celebrate his legacies while alive, adding that the book was opened for professional editing from other established authors beyond Benue so that when published, it could be a classic.

Also speaking, the National President of ANA, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, who led a five-Member delegation on a facility tour to Benue, said their visit was a yearly routine to any State granted the right to host convention.

Mallam Abdullahi expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Samuel Ortom for approving funds to the Benue Chapter of ANA despite the economic downturn for the hosting of the convention, pointing out that the success of the event would put the entire State on the global map of Literature.

Among other LOC members at the ANA Benue Secretariat to receive the National Officials were Dr. Raymond Anumve,Charles Iornumbe, the ANA Benue Chairman; Dorcas Otalu,Otse Otokpa, Abo Agbochenu, Dr.Tartule Tijah, Dorothy Abelega and Paul Ugah, among other Executive members of the State Chapter of ANA.

The ANA Convention, which kicked off yesterday in Markurdi, will be rounded off today with an award night.

….winners of ANA Prizes emerge today

Meanwhile, winners of the 2017 ANA Literary Prizes will be announced this evening in Markudi at an award night to be chaired by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Otorm. The winners will emerge from the shortlist released in the run up to the convention:

ANA PROSE FICTION PRIZE

The Devil’s Pawn    Kukogho Iruesiri

What It Takes       Lola Akande

Across The Gulf    Dul Johnson

Goodbye Tomorrow –   Ike Utuagha 

ANA DRAMA PRIZE

The Masked Crown – Tunji Ajibade

General Ologbosere – Dickson  Ekhaguere

Magnetism – R C Ofodile

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Oh Obedeki – Solomon Iguanre

Tony Wants to Marry – Jerry Alagbaoso

ANA POETRY PRIZE. 

Of Waters and the Wild – Ebi Yeibo

For Every Homeland – Obari Gomba

A Child of Smell -Seyi Adigun

Maiduguri Requiems – Patrick Oguejiofor

ANA/ABUBAKAR GIMBA PRIZE FOR SHORT STORIES

A Tiny Place Called Happiness -Bura-Bari Nwilo

Gates of Dawn – MSC Okolo

Tales From Our Past – Lucky James.

•In this category, the above listed texts are for Honourable Mention  only

ANA  CHILDREN’S LITERATURE PRIZE

The Adventure of Three Wild Boys – Wale Adewale

Sodality: A Tale of Friendship – Chioma A Diru

Dancing Tree – Stanley Okeke Oji

      

•In this category, the above listed texts are for Honourable Mention  only

ANA/MARIA AJIMA PRIZE FOR LITERARY CRITICISM

“Radical Theatre and Criticism of anti-People’s Culture: A Study of Esiaba Irobi’s Hangmen also Die’’ by Nwagbo Pat -Obi

“Vicarious Idiosyncrasies”: The Mother-Daughter Ligament in Ernest Emenyonu’s Listen, My Momma Pays Your Taxes by Fynest Elvis

•In this category, the above listed texts are for Honourable Mention only