ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN AUTHORS (ANA), LAGOS
Date: Saturday, 12th January, 2008
Venue: Arts Gallery, Aina Onabolu Complex,
National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos
Attendance:
Among those present were Chike Ofili (chairman), Ralph Tathagata (secretary),
Dagga Tolar (vice-chairman), Adeshina Olusanya (asst. secretary), Iquo Eke (treasurer),
Wole Oguntokun (one-time Gen. Sec.), Sola alamutu (of WRITA & ANA), Hyancith
Obunseh (of ANA National), Uchechukwu Nwosu (ex-Gen. Sec.), 'Deremi Adegbite (ex-
PRO), Rex Odoemenam (poet), Innocent Okoro Onoh (journalist), Osunde Timilehin
(journalist), and 17 other persons, including 12 new-comers. (Total number present, 30
persons in all.)
The Reading:
The meeting or reading was moderated by Chike Ofili , assisted by Ralph Tathagata.
First, there were readings by new-comers.
Then, a poem, "Lagos", written by Ralph Tathagata was read and critically reviewed. (Adequate copies were made available to the audience).
After that, "Children of the Night", a poem done by Dumbri Frank Eboh was read and also critically analysed. (Copies were also available for members).
Both poets benefitted immensely from members' comments and contributions which came in in form of a workshop session.
Theme of our January, 2008 reading was:
"Is Writing still Worth It?"
(Anchor-man was Chike Ofili.)
During the (ensuing) discourse,
writers' challenges were identified to include the following:
1. The Threat of Publishing
a. There is what is called "educational (book) publishing" syndrome which presently
militates against cultural books publishing.
b. There is also the problem of absence of critical appraisal of works.
c. There is the problem of editing. Sometimes, therefore editing is outsourced.
d. In journalism now, there is the problem of what is called "Life" page (features) as opposed to what we used to know as "Arts" or "Literature" page.
The "Life " page often features people outside the arts.
This is not too good for the arts.
(ANA, Lagos recently went to all the broadcast stations, radio & television) to bear out our minds, and the positive effect of this shown by the kind of response the Association got from the media houses durin the November, 2007 reading
e. Some writers are getting (economically) weary because of the state of the economy
2. Some writers are busy bickering, quarelling, engaging in personal conflicts and the like.
3 (a) Writers who are in the corporate environment (thaqt is, in environment other than the creative world) need be encoraged to continue to write and to identify with other writers (and by extension, ANA Lagos).
(b) Some don't see ANA, Lagos as where to belong.
Transition/A minute silence:
A minute of silence was observed for the late ex-vice-chairman of ANA, Lagos, Mr Tunde Ashe-Emmanuel Balthazar. (He died in a motor accident late last year (2007).)
NEXT MEETINGS:
In February, 2008, two meetings will be held.
One for the annual Lover's Day (Valentine Day)., and the other in honour of Mabel Segun (co-winner of the NLNG prize for Literature) whose birthday comes up in February.
The date for ANA, Lagos regular (monthly) meeting is second (2nd) Saturday of every month (January to December).
Next meeting will, therefore, be on February 11th, 2008. (Lovers' Day reading)
Segments of meetings:
ANA, Lagos readings (or meetings) will always have segments for:
1. appreciating work-in-progress
2. appreciating new releases (newly published books)
3. discussing the theme of the day (or month)
4. the advocacy (aspect)
5. meeting-points between other forms of arts in Nigeria and ANA (e.g. ANA meets Nollywood etc).
Members responded with the following comments:
1. Plys/Drama should be given sufficient consideration at ANA readings.
2. ANA, Lagos should encorage members to post creative works (poems, short stories etc) on its blogs, sites, internet chat groups etc.
3. ANA, Lagos should be well publicised.
ANA should be seen and heard. The Publicity Unit of ANA, Lagos should be very busy now.
4. Meeting schedule/time-table shoul cover at least a quarter (that is, three months) in advance to allow for proper planning/necessary arrangements by all.
Members were informed that ANA, Lagos blogs URL are:
while ANA, Lagos internet chat group works of could be posted and discussed on-line is:
New-comers are encoraged to join this chat group (above URL)
Registration of New Members/ Anual Dues by all
New-comers were informed/reminded that to register as full members of the Association, total fees payable = #3,000 (Three thousand Naira), details as below:
i. Registration/Annual Dues (Full members) #2,000
(Associate members #1,000)
ii I.D. card fees (optional) #500
iii A copy of ANA, Lagos Anthology("Confluence") #500
Total Registration fees payable (Full members) #3,000
(Eligibility for full membership is open to published authors)
Whereas old/existing members are expected to pay their annual dues which falls due January 1st every year.
(Associate membership attracts total fee payment of #2,000) (Two thousand naira only)
All are enjoined to pay by CASH or Bank Draft direct into ANA, Lagos GTBank Current Account Number 201/107510/0/110 and thereafter present a copy of the teller for lodgement to the Treasurer of ANA, Lagos for issuance of ANA, Lagos Official Receipt covering the transaction. Registration Form should be collected and completed without delay.
Two (2) passport photographs will be required (from new-comers).
Sponsors:
Sponsors of Arts & Literary events/associations are encouraged to support, and donate to ANA, Lagos
- ANA, Lagos Secretariat
Telephone: +2348027352577
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