Updates on the Preparations For The Upcoming 35th Anniversary/ International Convention Of ANA

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As part of effective process towards the ANA 2016 35th Anniversary Annual Convention scheduled to take place in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, there has since been in place some proposed  ideas and plans to make the event not just a success but a memorable one. Towards this end, the following has been running on ground for the past few months:

 1.       Courtesy call to Senator Shehu Sani

 This was done in line with the promise made by the senator at the last year Kaduna convention to host the upcoming one in Abuja. As part of partnering with him to facilitate his hosting of the forthcoming convention, the executive body of the Association upon resumption of work in November last year, made a courtesy call to the senator and are still keeping track with  him  with series of follow up consultations.

 

2       Thought Pyramid Art Centre:  

The centre is one of the largest in West Africa and had since been receptive to the creative industry. The Centre has been duly secured for the opening cocktail (Festival of life) which will take place on the 27th October, 2016 from 7-10pm 

3.       The Women Development Centre

The women Centre is one of the most famous in the nation’s capital and had equally been open to the creative hub. The ANA convention of 1997 held at this centre.ANA has been able to seek partnership with the organization towards the use of the Centre’s facilities for the upcoming convention at a discounted rate for the opening ceremony on the 28th October, 2016.The centre may likely also host the Convention play night and the premiere of the ANA Documentary film entitled " DancingMask: The ANA Story." The Women Centre is also being earmarked at the arrival point though we are toying with the idea for attendees to arrive straight to their designated hotels and pick up their accreditation materials there.

4.       National University Commission/ Nigerian Turkish Nile University

The  National University Commission  or the  Nigerian Turkish Nile University  may likely host the AGM and business meeting of the convention in the morning of Saturday 28th October, 2016.

  5. Awards / closing Dinner

This is being considered to take place in any of the top class hotels in Abuja and ANA is talking with some corporate organizations that have indicated interest to sponsor this event.

6. Regular and special features of the convention

a. Pre-registration  and accreditation will be strictly enforced  this time around to enable us reduce or completely eradicate the arrival tumult. Attendees will be encouraged to register well in advance through their various State chapters with strictly enforced deadlines and procedures that will be communicated to members nationwide and worldwide immediately after this inauguration.

 b.Excursion is being planned for the tour of the city of Abuja after the opening ceremony and it will be to primarily ANA land in Mpape Abuja so that ANA members will view the progress of work there. A mini literary event will be held on the land. From there members will be taken to  a few other places of attraction in Abuja.

c.The convention keynote address on the theme " Re-Contextualising African Literature for the African Renaissance: Emergent Trends, Realities and Strategies for the 21st Century". will be delivered by  Prof Isidore Diala of Imo State University, Owerri. He is a renowned  literary scholar  and critic of African literature who won 2015 NLNG Prize for Literary Criticism. He is also among the judges for NLNG literature prize for 2016.

d. This forthcoming convention will feature regular and special publications, investiture of new fellows and patrons for the Association. The trustees of ANA are expected to be in attendance and other very important dignitaries. The 2017-2022  ANA Strategic Plan Document will be presented to the public and the Congress.

f. Book exhibition- This will take place at the foyer of the auditorium in the women development centre during the opening ceremony and at all the convention activities venues.

g. ANA Documentary:

The ANA documentary which marks a huge mile stone in the history of the Association  would be premiered during the convention. The production of the documentary is being supported by the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and produced by Box Office Studios LTD.

h. The present  national executive council  in its bid to give the Association one of the best conventions in recent time  in terms of organisation and programming has taken these initial steps and has gathered here a team of well heeled people to assist in bringing this new thinking of  the possibility of a near perfect convention into reality.

We therefore use this opportunity to call  on corporate bodies, well meaning individuals, relevant government departments and agencies  and places we will soon reach out to to support our Association towards the delivery of a well packaged convention that will celebrate our 35 years unceasing commitment to the development of Nigerian literature, literary talents and the building of an egalitarian society.