ANA Celebrates Abubakar Imam

By Ebenezer Adurokiya - 27.06.2009

In continuation of its celebration of literary icons in the country, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) will be showcasing the works of Abubakar Imam, a literary icon of northern extraction, in Kaduna, on July 9.

National president of the body, Dr. Wale Okediran, stated this on Friday in Ibadan, Oyo State, during a visit of the executive members to the headquarters of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles.

He said the programme, tagged: “Abubakar Imam International Colloquium,” has the theme: “Promoting Writing In The Indigenous Languages,” and is billed for the Kaduna State University at 10.00 a.m. with the governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and his Kaduna State counterpart, Namadi Sambo, as guest speaker and chief host respectively.

According to Dr. Okediran, the visit was to show ANA’s appreciation to Tribune for supporting creative writings and publicising activities of the body for the past years.

He said the visit was also to sensitise the populace to the oncoming celebration of Imam as part of its commitment to showcasing works of some of its renowned members nationwide.

While appealing to the management of ANN Plc to pep up literary reportings in its pages, the one-time member of the National Assembly and a medical doctor who is also a columnist of Saturday Tribune noted that the event would feature book exhibitions, literary excursions and staging of late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s play, Shaihu Umar, among others.

Okediran listed Ruwan Bagaja, Magana Jarice and Tarihin Annabi Kammallale as part of Abubakar Imam’s literary works written in the Hausa language.

In his response, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of ANN Plc, Reverend Sam Adesua, promised that the company would continue to support the association .

Adesua, represented by Managing Editor, Weekend Titles, Mr. Sunday Olajide, enjoined parents and other stake holders to promote indigenous languages to mitigate cultural erosion.