By Abubakar Sulaiman Muh’d
Th e Ahmadu Bello University Zaria’s Creative Writers’ Club (CWC) in collaboration with the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), ABU chapter, recently held their 2017 joint Public Lecture and Autography Day in honor of Abubakar Gimba, the famous Nigerian novelist and founder of ABU Creative Writers’ Club. Split into morning and afternoon sessions, featuring book-fair, poetry rendition, panel discussion and autographs,, the event opened up with a lecture on the theme: ‘Th e Role of Upcoming Writer, Critic and Analyst in National Development’, and authors and critics, from within and outside Nigeria converged in the ABU”s famous Abdullahi Smith Th eatre to cross-fertilize ideas. An acclaimed author and poet, Abdullahi Ismaila, who was the lead presenter at the occasion, lamented the falling standards of works by young artists.
“Young writers must concentrate more on their works rather than on instant fame,” he advised. One of the discussants, Dr. Rasheedat Liman, a lecturer with the Department of Th eatre and Performing Arts, emphasized the signifi cance of literature to national development. John Asiedu Sarpong, Ghanaian writer and educator who appeared on the second session, spoke on the importance of literature beyond arts, which was a sub-theme of the program.
“Literature is not only the activity of reading and writing, he said, it involves the practice of principle and character. Work and work hard and keep promises,” he said, referring to the notorious African Time, though the program started on time. On his part, Dr Yunusa Tanko, Grand Patron of NASELS Nigeria, assured his continued support towards literary activities, not only in theory but in practice. As the morning session drew to an end, outside of the Th eater hall was where the book-fair was held, a bookstand manned by a young man and woman was quickly crowded by the audience. Standing close by were authors ready to sign books for buyers. Group photo sessions between writers and readers marked the end of the morning program.
In the afternoon session titled: “Th e Abubakar Gimba Colloquium” was held at Devcom Centre, featuring two panel discussions: ‘Th e Role of Social Media in Literature’, and ‘Finding Your Voice in the Midst of Chaos’, topics which proved very crucial to young writers. Panelist Abdullahi Ismaila maintained that quality work requires patience and total commitment of the artist. He however accused young writers of rushing to social media with poor and syrupy work. A reputable platform for nurturing and grooming young artists, harnessing talents and off ering opportunities – which Ismaila was benefi ciary of – the weekly literary workshop by the writers’ club is one of the bastions of hope for quality national literature, African literature, and even beyond.
It is a hub where works are presented to the critical assessment of critics and fellow writers in a fashion akin to peer-review. Th e club has continued to produce successive chains of cultural artists, creative artists, painters, writers, poets, fi lm producers and media managers who left ABU to become infl uential people in society. Other panelists much younger than Ismaila held contrary views.
For them, social media is an opportunity beyond arts. One of them, Hassana Maina, a women’s right activist, said that social media helps her raise awareness and aiding victims of Boko Haram. Powered by the Association of Nigerian Authors, the nation’s writers’ body, CWC and NASELS, the event, aimed at boosting literary culture among Nigerians, creates interface between young writers and established authors. Earlier, the Chairman, Creative Writers’ Club, Ogasele Sese Clement and NASELS President ABU, Mr. Dele Asogba, expressed happiness for successfully achieving the core aim of the program.
Th anking the staff advisers of the club, Dr Jonah Amodu, Dr Isah Ibrahim and Dr Edward Abah, the patron Prof A. A. Liman, the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors who also doubles as CWC’s Grand Patron, Mr Denja Abdullahi, Sese Clement hoped ANA and other support groups would continue to back the program annually. As fi rst of its kind throughout the university campuses across Nigeria, the cumbersome logistic and technical aspects involved, overcome by the students themselves made the program to be adjudged a success.
Th e event closed with musical performances, the audience walked out to the ethereal glow of the evening sun, and dispersed into the greenish sprawling landscape of the university. Abubakar, a Kano-based blogger, writer and new media journalist, is fi nishing up a degree in Th eory and Cultural Studies at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
