The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has released its first communique of the years at its National Executive Council Meeting held Grange Hill Hotel, Mpape,  Abuja.

The communique which was jointly signed by the Association National President and General Secretary touched a lot of issues, among which include ANA 2018 Convention which is scheduled to hold in October, its Writers' Village, Nigerian writers recognition and the spate of insecurity in various parts of the country.

ANA National Executives

Read the released below as published on the Association site.

ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN AUTHORS (ANA)

A Communiqué of the National Executive Council Meeting of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Held at Grange Hill Hotel, Mpape, Abuja on Saturday 20 January , 2018

Rising from its National Executive Council Meeting held at Grange Hill Hotel, Mpape, Abuja, the National Executive Council of ANA, after very exhaustive deliberations on issues affecting the Association and the nation, resolved as follows:

1. That the leadership of the Association at both the national and States level shall remain committed to purposeful administration, pursuit and protection of the interest of all creative writers in the country in a continuing effort towards upholding the objectives, vision and mission of the association as outlined in its Constitution.

2. That the current administration's commitment to the development of the ANA Land at Mpape, Abuja into a modern Writers Village and creative hub is already witnessing rapid progress in the form of the building and completion of a mini national secretariat and ongoing construction works on various outlined facilities earmarked for the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village shall be sustained in the bid to deliver the promise made to the Congress to complete the project within the life of this administration.

3. That the 37th International Annual Convention of the Association has been scheduled to hold from 25-28 October,2018 with the theme: Literature: Megacities and Mega-narratives . The Lagos State chapter of the Association, going by its bid at the last convention held in Makurdi, Benue State, has been provisionally awarded the right to host the 2018 Convention, subject to final ratification in April 2018.

4. The Executive Council has renewed its call to all chapters of the Association to support the ongoing digital membership database development by registering themselves on the portal provided on the Association’s website as well as fill and return the membership forms with relevant information to the national secretariat as the programme is scheduled to be concluded at the end of March, 2018. A comprehensive membership directory with inputs from chapters will be published by mid-year; therefore, chapters’ chairmen and secretaries should liaise with the National Secretariat for the realization of this project as earmarked this year.

5. That the Association shall continue to explore various programmes and projects within the administrative year and as contained in the Association’s Strategic Plan (2017-2022) in the form of workshops, facilitated mentoring and external collaborations geared towards honing the skills of young and emergent writers as well as further capacity development for established writers.

6. The National Executive Council drawing from various observations and advocacy during Annual General Meetings and various proposals by well-meaning members of the association, deemed it fit to propose a review of the Constitution of the Association which was last amended in 2012. A Constitution Review Committee to be headed by the National Legal Adviser of the Association shall be constituted with membership drawn from chapters across the Six Geo-political Zones of the country. All members will be expected to prepare and send in their contributions in this regard to the constituted committee towards amendments and final ratification by the Congress.

7. That members should continue to employ the instrumentality of their writings and creative endowments to promote peace, harmony and mutual coexistence in the country in line with our founding philosophy of supporting Nigeria's emergence as an egalitarian society, safe for all and vibrantly accommodating of others opinions and noble pursuits.

8. That creative writing and literary production should begin to receive more attention from both the public and private sectors of the economy as a viable partner in the ongoing strides to diversify the economy of the country. The Association particularly note the present exclusion of the literary sector from the government’s discourse and support projections for the creative industry and therefore calls for urgent redress on this to enable a wholesome development of the creative industry.

9. The National Executive Council of the Association is shocked by the state of insecurity, violence and criminality that has resulted in the wanton destruction of the precious lives of Nigerians in various parts of the country notably in Benue State, Taraba State, Zamfara State, Kaduna State, the North Central generally and the South-South geopolitical zone of the country. The Association condemns these nefarious acts against the state and particularly the direct victims including women and children, the elderly and weak whose lives have been cut short by the impunity of callous persons who do not appear to love themselves nor the country. ANA therefore calls on governments at all levels to investigate these killings, identify the perpetrators and get them to face the law. This shall not only act as a deterrent to others but it shall defray incidental outcries from various quarters and bring some closure on this unfortunate development. ANA enjoins the security agencies to be up to date with the task and responsibilities associated with the protection of lives and properties in an increasingly challenging human environment. The Association completely condemns and strongly cautions against any unnecessary politicization and ethnicisation of the country and enjoins political players at all levels to approach their activities (in view of the build-up to the 2019 elections) with utmost respect to the interest of the country and especially the sanctity of human life above all else.