By Ibrahim Ramalan
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) will hold its 35th international convention in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, from October 27 through 30, 2016.
The theme of the occasion will be ‘Re-contexualising African Literature for the African Renaissance: Emergent Realities, Trends and Strategies for the 21st Century.’ Keynote speaker is the award-winning professor of English at Imo State University, Isidore Diala.
The programme line-up include Excursion to ANA land in Mpape and sites in the FCT, Literary Prize award ceremony, investiture of fellows, patrons and corporate honorary members, book fair and presentation of ANA strategic planning document.
Prof. 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 is currently engaged in 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. His publications Include Edited Volumes “Nigerian Literature: Triumphs and Travails.” Tydiskrif vir Letterkunde: A Journal for African Literature 48.1 (2011). (Special Issue on Nigerian Literature. Ed. Isidore Diala.
The Responsible Critic: Essays on African Literature in Honor of Professor Ben Obumselu. Ed. Isidore Diala. New Jersey: Africa World Press, 2006. Selected Essays “De/Stabilising the European Classic: Sycorax, Irobi’s. The Tempest.” Shakespeare in Southern Africa (Forthcoming). “Esiaba Irobi’s Legacy: The Theory and Practice of Postcolonial Performance.” Research in African Literatures (2011): 20-38. “Migrating Bards: Writers’ Burdens and a Writers’ Body in Nigeria at the Turn of the Century.” Tydskrif vir Letterkunde 45.2 (2008):133-148.
