It was thrill and fun on Wednesday as Association of Nigerian Authors Abuja chapter in collaboration with Veritas University Abuja played host to a renowned author and professor of Africana Studies, University of North Carolina, Prof. Tanure Ojaide as guest in a reading session.
The event which took place at the university campus in Bwari FCT also witnessed drama presentation and poetry performances to the admiration of the audience.
Pupils of some select schools within the capital city who added colour to the event were not left out of the glamour.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor of the university, Rev. Fr. Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku commended the leadership and members of Association Nigerian Authors Abuja chapter for being at the forefront in driving literary mentorship across primary and secondary schools in the FCT.
He said such exposure helps young people in aspiring for greatness, acquiring fresh orientation and value.
Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku observed that bringing young people in contact with fulfilled literary giants like the guest author, Prof. Ojaide engenders confidence in them.
He said, “This event means a great deal to us. It is an assemblage of some of the bests. Prof. Ojaide is a great name in poetry and we have a renowned literary critic here, Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo and a number of other fulfilled literary professionals.
“With the experience of this event, pupils from various schools who have converged here today have not only been exposed to beauty of our environment but listening to great names in poetry and top members of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA is something I think will inspire them”.
In her remarks, chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja chapter, Halima Usman expressed gratitude to Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku for always making available facility of the university for literary events and physically identifying with the association with his presence.
She also pledged the commitment of the association to continue in taking a lead position in nurturing young people in the field of literature and creative arts in line with its mandate.
The ANA Abuja chairman used the opportunity to encourage the audience and interested candidates to participate in the ongoing national essay competition organised by ANA in conjunction with ROOST Foundation which has a star prize of N200,000 plus a certificate.
The themes in the ongoing competition are Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration.
The special guest and award winning author, Prof. Ojaide in his comment urged writers to be more visible in playing the role of sensitizing the public for national unity and cohesion.
He has a number of books to his credit including “The Beauty I have Seen”, “Doors of the Forest” and “Flow & Other Poems”.
