Prof. Isidore Diala to deliver keynote address at ANA-FUNAI International Conference

PROF. ISIDORE DIALA TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT ANA-FUNAI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The twenty-first century in Nigeria has witnessed an avalanche of creative writing in all the genres of literature and beyond. More than ever before, this period has shown that creative writing and critical practices offer greater possibilities for social re-engineering and meaningful mediation in public spaces. This expansion is witnessed in the steady growth of the list of names of Nigerians associated with national and international acclaim. Equally expanding, are the writers’ use of neo-stylistic techniques in the pursuit of diverse visionary goals as well as re-conceptualization­s of the ideas of the state of the Nigerian nation, nationhood, politics, migration, governance, leadership, gender, sex, sexuality, new technologies, the new media, internet and the environment. Also pertinent to the vision of contemporary Nigerian writers is the re-assessment of the meaning and construction of relationships between individuals (from the same country) when found outside their country, as well as the different needs for interacting with various nations around the globe. These have led to re-definition, re-negotiations and re-construction of new identities of the self and the nation.

Mr. Denja Abdulahi, ANA National President officially unveiled Prof. Isidore Diala as Keynote Speaker for the forthcoming ANA-FUNAI International Conference and Creative Workshop on Sunday in Abuja.

With the conference theme of “Expanding Frontiers”, the conference will provide scholars the opportunity to articulate as well as interrogate these new trends and the stylistic evolutions of Nigerian literature in the 21st century. Specifically, the conference aims to answer questions such as (but not limited to):

• In what ways do the thematic preoccupations of the new literatures of the 21st century (both in the indigenous and foreign languages) differ from the previous generations of creative writing in Nigeria or Africa?

• In what ways do the styles, and methodologies of Nigeria’s literatures of the 21st century differ from literary practices of the past?

• How have the new technologies and new media affected the practices, reception and disseminations of literary practices in Nigeria and beyond?

Isidore Diala holds a B.A (Hons.) in English and Literary Studies from Imo State University Etiti (now: Abia State University, Uturu) Nigeria, and an M.A in the same field from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His Ph.D. thesis on the fiction of the South African novelist, Andre Brink, was also written at the University of Ibadan. Beginning his university teaching career at Abia State University Uturu, Diala is currently Professor of African literature in the Department of English, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. A Humboldt Research Fellow in the Department of English, University of Münster (affiliated to the Chair of English, Postcolonial and Media Studies) from November 2010-April 2012, Diala was also a Visiting Research Fellow, Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom from October 2005 to March 2006.
He a few years ago released a book-length study of the drama of the Nigerian playwright, Esiaba Irobi (1960-2010) titled "Esiaba Irobi's Drama and the Postcolony: Theory and Practice of Postcolonial Performance" as well as an edited volume of essays on African drama in honour of Esiaba Irobi. Apart from scholarly work, Diala has also published award-winning creative writing. His play, The Pyre, was joint-winner of the Association of Nigerian Writers' Drama Prize in 1992 and his poetry volume, The Lure of Ash, was the winner of the Association of Nigerian Writers'/ Cadbury Poetry Prize in 1998. Prof Isidore Diala delivered the keynote speech at ANA"s 35th Anniversary International Convention which held in Abuja in 2016. He was also the first winner of the NLNG literary criticism prize in 2015.

With a passion for this theme, Prof. Isidore Diala already knows some of the important takeaways he hopes to impart on the attendees. Other lead speakers expected at the conference are Prof E E Sule of IBB University, Lapai and Prof Oyeniyi Okunoye of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile -Ife. There will also be a writers-critics forum featuring Prof Sam Ukala, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Ikeogu Oke, Prof Akachi Ezeigbo, Prof JOJ Nwachukwu Agbada, Prof Ogaga Okuyade, Dr Ismaila Bala Garba and Dr Ezechi Onyieronwu.The workshop component of the conference will be led by Prof Joseph Ushie and assisted by Isaac Attah Ogezi. The management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo in Ebonyi State led by the VC Prof Chinedu Nwajiuba has expressed its preparedness to host the conference/ workshop and give all attendees a memorable outing.ANA Ebonyi State Chapter will be on hand to organise the literary dimensions to the event.ANA National Executive Council hereby call on ANA chapters in the South East to attend.