The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) on Friday
commenced the building process of its “Writers’ Village,”
after 32 years of acquiring the land in the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT).
Malam Abdullahi Denja, the president of ANA in his
address at the foundation laying ceremony in Mpape,
Maitama Extension of the FCT said that the land was given
to ANA in 1985 by late Major-Gen Mamman Vatsa , then
Minister of the FCT.
Denja said that Vatsa donated 61.20 hectares of land
members of the association which he was a proud
member.
“Since then it has been a story of lack of capacity, failed
promises, betrayal and trespasses; what we have left
today of the original 61.20 hectares is about 36.9
hectares.
“On Jan. 24, 2013, after surviving a long battle over this
same land with a supposed developer, ANA did a ground-
breaking ceremony.
“We also did a turning of sod, under the auspices of the
current developer, Korlie Mobs Venture Limited (KMVL).
“But we are here today to do the foundation laying
Ceremony and to announce to the world that the period of
actual development of the land towards realising the
dream of Vatsa and that of all Nigerian writers has
come,” Denja said.
According to the ANA president, when eventually
completed, the edifice will house the national
headquarters of ANA, 50 room hotel, residency chalets,
500-seater auditorium, archives and depositories.
He explained that the association’s strategic plan for
2017-2022 already had the development of the land as a
priority.
He commended the efforts of previous leadership of the
association who kept the dream alive in spite of the
challenges.
“I therefore call on the Federal and State governments,
corporate institutions, national and international donor
agencies, individuals and groups to join hands with us as
we build a place for literature culture in Abuja.
Also, Senator Shehu Sani, Chairman Senate Committee on
Foreign Debt said the commencement of the writers’
village was a sign of good thing to happen to Nigerian
writers.
Sani, a profound writer, said the structure would be
relevant in many years to come adding that generations
would come to know about it and use it for the
development of Nigerian writers and literature.
He however admonished the association to take the
process gradually.
“The development of The United States and even the
United Arab Emirate did not start in one day; there were
completed through a gradual process.
“I know that writers had to wait for proceed from books
before they could earn some money, but I believe we will
get there.
“My strong adviser is that we should be gradual; our
target should be to fence this area and build an office that
would help to actualise this.
“The Chinese said that the journey of one thousand mile
start with a step; that should be our focus,” Shehu said.
Also speaking, Dr Wale Okediran, the Chairman, ANA Land
Development Committee said that ANA Congress had in
2016 resolved that some form of development must take
place at the village before 2017 convention.
“A meeting of the ANA Land Committee with the developer,
KMVL took place in February in Abuja.
“One major decisions taken at the meeting was the urgent
need for a foundation laying ceremony to take place as
soon as possible.
“It is my hope that with today’s ceremony, a concerted
effort will be made by the developers for an appreciable
development of the writers’ village before the next ANA
convention,” Okediran said.
The Land Committee Chairman appreciated patrons of
ANA and team of lawyers and developers who had
struggled tirelessly over the past years “to make today’s
dream a reality.”
He also solicited for more financial and moral support
from Nigerians towards the completion of the project.
High point of the occasion was laying of the foundation
block by Sani, Denja, Okediran, Shaw and others
dignitaries at the event.
Side attractions include recitation of a poem written by
Miss Halima Muhammed, entitled:’ The Mask’’ and another
by Mrs Joan Orji, entitled “Mpape’’ written by Denja.
