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By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Denja Abdullahi, has hinted of plans to name a complex in the association’s national secretariat at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, after the late Bayelsa-born poet laureate, Dr. Gabriel Okara.
Mr. Abdullahi made this known on the sidelines of his visit to renowned literary critic, Chief Seiyifa Koroye, at his residence in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, after the ceremony of poems, songs and tributes organized by the Bayelsa Government as part of activities for the grand obsequies of the late sage.
President of the national writers body, Abdullahi, while sharing thoughts with writers who converged at the residence of Chief Koroye, expressed appreciation to his host, the state chapter of ANA and the Bayelsa government for the warm reception accorded writers who came from near and far to pay their homage to the man, Gabriel Okara, whom he said paved way for other African poets to excel in their writing.
”Okara was a humble man. I had interacted with him several times. He was always willing to assist budding and established writers. He never saw himself as an old man even though he was a grandfather to many of us. He chatted with us as if we were his mates. Himself and Pa Christian Otobotekere hardly miss conventions even in their old age of 90 years plus. We will miss Okara and we thank the writers in Bayelsa and the government for giving him a state burial with all the respect and fanfare he deserved,” Denja said.
Former ANA President, Dr. Wale Okediran, also shared his experiences and challenges in starting and sustaining the Ebedi Writers Residency Programme at his home town in Iseyin, Oyo State.
He commended the host, Chief Seiyifa Koroye for replicating a similar structure at his home town in Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State. He urged him not to relent but to continue to give his usual support to the writers’ community in the state as a senior literary guru, whose disposition and brilliant intellect is much needed now that Pa Okara is no more.
“It is not easy to host a residency programme for writers. I have been doing it for years now and I tell you it is not an all comers affair. From high running cost to host communities’ palava as well as dealing with strangers and people from all walks of life and different ethnic nationalities.”
“These can put a strain on any one hosting a residency programme for writers. Our host must be encouraged and supported to continue the good works he is doing for the writers in Bayelsa and Rivers states,” Dr. Okediran said.
In his welcome remarks, the host, Chief Koroye, had shared with the August visitors his delight to host the president of ANA and other big wigs in the national writing community.
He called on them to take advantage of his on-going writers’ residency project being organized by the Seiyifa and Grace Koroye Foundation, SGK, in Toru–Orua which began last year and has been playing host to some resident writers of Bayelsa origin.
In his words, “there are plans to extend our hands of fellowship to the Rivers chapter of ANA to also take advantage of the facility. Though the floods of last year cut short the stay of the two resident writers who had to complete their session this year, it is hoped that such challenges shall be overcome in the future.”
It was a thrilling time for the select writers present who were treated to local Izon delicacy of ‘kekefiyai’ also known as ‘KKF’ and Ghanaian delicacy of ‘Donku.’
The A-list guests included the leadership of the Rivers contingent led by the state chairman, Mr. Uzo Uwamara, his Vice and a former ANA national treasurer, Joy Isuku.
Others were the national vice president of ANA, Dr. Camillus Ukah, who used the opportunity to speak of his intentions for ANA if voted into the choice seat of president at the next ANA convention holding at Enugu later in October this year.
Two past state chairmen of ANA Bayelsa, Engineer Frank-Opigo and Barrister Michael Afenfia were present as well as the incumbent chairperson, Mrs Bina Nengi-Ilagha and other members who all expressed delight to the host for the warm reception accorded the visitors.
High point of the occasion was the quiz which was won by the chief host, Chief Koroye who answered the question on the significance of June 21st, being the longest day and also coinciding with the burial obsequies of late Pa Okara, who was blessed with longevity for living over a hundred years old and being the oldest writer in Nigeria and probably Africa.
