The presidential candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has been invited by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), as a special guest to its 41st International Convention scheduled to hold from October 26 to 29 at the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre, Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Mpape, Abuja.

Political Economist NG reports that the invite jointly signed by ANA President, Camillus Ukah and Secretary, Maik Ortserga reads: “As you are most likely aware, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) was founded in 1981 by the literary colossus Chinua Achebe for the promotion of Nigerian literature. Its members are Nigerian poets, novelists, short-story writers, essayists, newspaper columnists, and journalists both at home and abroad. All of us meet once every year over a chosen theme to deliberate on the affairs of literature and related matters in Nigeria and even beyond. This year is our 41st convention and we are meeting on the theme of “Literature and National Consciousness: The Story as a Catalyst” between 26th and 29th October 2022 at our national headquarters, the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Kilometre 2, Mpape, FCT, Abuja.

“On behalf of the National Executive Council, the Board of Trustees, and the members of the association, it is our pleasure to hereby invite you as Special Guest of Honour to this 41st Annual Convention. We also request that as you come, you should address us on the topic of “Creativity in an Embattled Polity: Expectations, Constraints and Imperatives.

“This ANA@41 event is, no doubt, another grand opportunity to showcase Nigerian literature as an indisputable testimonial of our country’s continental leadership and greatness. Interestingly, a high-powered delegation from the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA) based in Accra, Ghana, as well as delegates from many other countries will be attending the convention, thus arguing the occasion as Africa’s leading literary event of the year 2022.

“We earnestly look forward to having you and hearing your story of creativity and politics as well as your national consciousness account from the horse’s mouth.

“Thank you in anticipation of your obliging to be our Special Guest of Honour at this significant gathering of writers. We assure you of our continued courtesies, felicitations and highest regards, sir.”

Political Economist NG recalls that the Association of Nigerian Authors was founded on the 27th June, 1981, during a conference convened by the late Professor Chinua Achebe. That maiden conference of Nigerian writers which held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka was attended by notable personalities in Nigerian literature and two Kenyan writers, Ngugi Wa Thiongo and Gacheche Wauringi.

Subsequently, the Association of Nigerian Authors was registered as a corporate body/professional association with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja. Its registered trustees are as follows:

Kole Omotoso, Mabel Segun, Ernest Emenyonu, Labo Yari, Chinua Achebe (deceased) and T.M Aluko (deceased).