Gov. Fayemi becomes Grand Patron of ANA Ekiti

BY PAUL LIAM

Yesterday, Wednesday the 14^th of August, 2019 at the AB Hotel hall, Ado Ekiti, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi was installed as the Grand Patron of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ekiti State chapter

The installation was part of activities of the chapter’s Annual State convention. According to the chapter, Dr. Fayemi was named the Grand Patron because he is a writer and supporter of literary development which made him deserving of the honour of serving as the Association's Grand Patron in Ekiti state.

The Governor was represented at the auspicious occasion by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi who is also a remarkable writer and civil rights advocate. She received the plaque on behalf of her husband and assured the association of her husband's continuous support to the development of literature and art in general in the state.

L-R: Erelu Bisi Fayemi, ANA Ekiti chairman, Odia Ofeimun and Ahmed Maiwada

The installation ceremony was heralded by a powerful keynote address presented by a distinguished poet, writer and a founding member of ANA, Odia Ofeimun, who went down memory lane to explain the ideas that led to the establishment of the association at a meeting convened by Chinua Achebe in 1981. 

Ofeimun, who spoke on the theme; 'ANA Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ informed the audience that the need to create a platform for people to advance towards happy endings, considering that they have witnessed too many sad endings was a major influence behind the creation of ANA.

The event was attended by renowned writers from across the nation led by the ANA President, Mallam Denja Abdullahi. Some of the prominent guests included: Dr. Wale Okediran, a former President of the association, Barrister Ahmed Maiwada, a former legal adviser of the association and aspiring president of the association, and Chiedu Ezeana, a famed poet. 

L-R: Jerry Adesewo, Chiedu Ezeana, Ahmed Maiwada, and Wale Okediran

Others include Jerry Adesewo, General Secretary of ANA Abuja, Stanley Kevwam, the chairman of ANA Jos, Chike Ofili, Yemi Adebiyi, chairman of ANA Lagos, Yemi Mahmud, chairman of ANA Ondo among others. High profile government officials at the event include the Ekiti state Commissioners for Information, Tourism and culture, and Women Affairs, Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Agencies.

Part of the activities of the day was the state executive council election which was overseen by the ANA President, where a new Executive was elected. There was also an entertaining cultural performance by the students of the theatre art department of the Ekiti State University.