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.
