HISTORY
OF ANA
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.
- Chinau Achebe (deceased)
- T.M Aluko (deceased)
VISION
ANA commits to build a humane
society and knowledge economy driven by highly motivated creative writers.
MISSION
ANA exists to promote Nigeria's
cultural heritage, diversity, literary enterprise and protect the rights of
writers in order to build a vibrant and responsive body of creative writers
based on the foundation of freedom of expression, equity, integrity,
mentorship, partnership, empowerment, and high ethical standards.
ANA
CORE VALUES
The core values of the Association
of Nigerian Authors are:
- Advocacy
- Creativity
- Integrity
- Equity
- Transparency and Accountability
- Communication
- Empowerment
- Ethic
- Mentorship
- Partnership
Consequently, all programmes and
activities of the Association of Nigerian Authors shall be carefully designed
to:
- Ensure equity and demonstrate integrity of the highest order;
- Guarantee mentorship that could promote creativity and effective communication;
- Build partnerships that could empower its members and society at large;
- Advance transparency and accountability in the conduct of its business;
- Sustain advocacy for freedom of expression and defend the rights of Nigerian writers; and
- Adhere to high ethical standards in all its ramifications
MEMBERSHIP
STRUCTURE
ANA has members in virtually all
States of the Federation and in all the 6 Geo-Political Zones of the country
while it has active and functional branches in 30 States of the Federation.
The Association has 3(three)
categories of membership: Associate; Full; and Honorary member. To become an
associate member of ANA, you only need to profess the innate creative writing
talent evident in manuscripts which may have been published in newspapers,
journals or in anthologies or at least good enough to be so published. With
this in the kitty, a fledging writer only needs to link up with the nearest ANA
State branch to his or her place of residence, register and start participating
in the various activities of such a branch. To become a full member of the
Association, you must be a published creative writer, with at least a book to
your name, or a considerable number of works published in reputable anthologies
and must have attended at least one national convention of the Association.
Honorary membership is given to non-writers, corporate bodies or groups who
have shown in their activities, a passion for literature or have contributed by
way of support to literary activities of any kind.
ADMINISTRATIVE
STRUCTURE
The Association has a governing
National Executive Council made up of 14(fourteen) officials headed by a
President with the secretariat administered by a General Secretary, elected
every two years at a national convention which is held annually. A slightly
similar Executive Council but less in number runs the Association's business at
the States' level. The national headquarter or national secretariat is located
at the National Theatre Complex Lagos and efforts are still being made to
develop its landed property in Abuja into a world class writers' village which
would then house its permanent National Headquarter.
BRANCHES/CHAPTERS
ANA branches and chapters have an
autonomy of operations guided by the general objectives of the Association and
are free to design programmes and activities to further literary interests
peculiar to their various environment. However,these branches and chapters
derive their legitimacy to operate from the national body,which is the one
recognised by law and from which they are governed through administrative directives,general
programmes and projects.
MEMBERSHIP
ANA has members in virtually all
States of the Federation and in all the 6 Geo-Political Zones of the country
while it has active and functional branches in 30 States of the Federation.
The Association has 3(three)
categories of membership: Associate; Full; and Honorary member. To become an
associate member of ANA, you only need to profess the innate creative writing
talent evident in manuscripts which may have been published in newspapers,
journals or in anthologies or at least good enough to be so published. With
this in the kitty, a fledging writer only needs to link up with the nearest ANA
State branch to his or her place of residence, register and start participating
in the various activities of such a branch. To become a full member of the
Association, you must be a published creative writer, with at least a book to
your name, or a considerable number of works published in reputable anthologies
and must have attended at least one national convention of the Association.
Honorary membership is given to non-writers, corporate bodies or groups who
have shown in their activities, a passion for literature or have contributed by
way of support to literary activities of any kind.
OBJECTIVES
The fundamental aims and objectives
of the Association as stated in the ANA constitution which was last reviewed in
2012 are as follows:
- To encourage and promote Nigerian literature.
- To encourage the collection, recording and transcription of all oral literature.
- To promote the interest of authors in all that concerns their profession and well-being and to protect their rights as authors.
- To encourage the commitment of authors to the ideals of a humane and egalitarian society.
- To co-operate with other organizations in Nigeria, Africa and elsewhere, which share similar aims and aspirations.
- To liaise with all organizations established for the promotion and development of the book industry throughout the country.
- To stimulate and develop indigenous talents, skills and intellectual powers.
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