Nigerian authors begin construction of writers' village in Abuja

Photos left to right: The late Mamman Vatsa; ANA Officers and members at the
 foundation laying ceremony; plan for the writers' village 
(Photos culled from www.ana-nigeria.com)

Befitting writers’ village for Mamman Vatsa

- by Izuchukwu Okeke 

  (Culled from www.nationalmirroronline.net)

He was not physically there, but wherever he might be, the spirit of Mamman Jiya Vatsa must have stirred with joy on Thursday, January 24, when the members of the Association of Nigeria Authors, ANA, gathered for the Ground Breaking and Foundation Laying Ceremony of the ANA/Mamman Jiya Vatsa Writers’ Village, in Mpape, Abuja.

 It was a gathering long overdue; one of no mean importance both to the association, Nigerian writers in general, book and literature and, of course, the family of late Mamman Vatsa.... Continue reading

Message from Remi Raji

President of the Association on Nigerian Authors

"This day in another time, it shall be told of you, that you were part of the lucky and chosen ones to do wonders for a much-maligned and verily vilified association struggling to be; it shall be said of you, and you, that you gave your best as one of many parts that make one big unit of dreamers and authors; that you were one of many who dusted their feet on the hallowed grounds of Mpape, bequeathed by generosity and patriotism, stolen by greed but reclaimed by sheer grit; this day and hour next time, we shall have overcome the intrigues of uncertain years and erected the concrete doors of the glorious heritage. One day of collective joy which many have waited for for long, which some had hoped for and which some even never believed would come to pass. This is the day, and you all are the catalysts that make it happen.

"I charge you to continue to have the faith that it is possible to do good; in fact it is easy to do good with a dedicated and transparent heart. Yet we must be self-critical as we move towards attaining the dream. If we don't get it right this time, it will take another generation to do it but the dream would have turned into a nightmare. So, I thank you all for being a team."

Prof. Rem Raji
President, 2011/13 EXCO
Association of Nigerian Authors

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