It was good that the last meeting of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos State chapter raised a lot of dusts about the state of Nigerian Literature: The argument, as it were, centred more on why most Nigerian Institutions of higher learning do not seem to show deserving interest in the works of younger Nigerian writers. The point at issue was whether to write to Nigerian teachers formally to draw their attention to this development or to meet them at an official level to sort the issue out.
Usually, the monthly meeting of Lagos ANA is to discover and admit new members and to also read old and new works and banter generally on plausible new ways to move the association forward. As a matter of fact, it was one of the poetry readings by one John Paschal Anikwe that provoked the debate. The main issue of the day was to celebrate mothers anchoring the meeting on the role of motherhood in the breeding of successful writers world over.
However, given the intellectual nature of writers and the ideas they often project, the theme of the day shifted to accommodate the growth and development and treatment of works of younger Nigerian writers by teachers of literature. Daga Tola, a former chairman of Lagos ANA and a teacher by profession, was particularly irked that the Nigerian state does not love the arts. “This is time for a literary revolution. The education system is in deep crisis. There is no consistent policy to promote education in Nigeria,” he said.
Tola, a poet and revolutionary writer did not mince words when he posited that what the nation needs now is total overhaul of all aspects of the society. “How can you say you have a sound educational system when the materials with which to teach are not there? There are no modern tools. And to make it worse, it is the same old poets and novelists that our people still teach. What sense does this make? We need therefore to restructure the system; we need to make those in charge refocus their attention on the modalities of how they teach and what they teach.”
To most of the people who presented their own argument, it is not proper; in fact, it does not portend well when it is only the works of the first generation Nigerian writings that are given space in the curriculum. Anthologies are done nearly every year in which works of younger writers are included. Most of these works are deep, sound and intellectually suffused, yet they hardly get attention in the classrooms.
“Oh, yes, let attention shift to these new writers, especially poets.” Tanko Okoduwa, poet and a former publicity secretary of ANA (national), opined. A well-celebrated writer, publisher, fine artist and entertainment impresario, Okoduwa argued that poetry is about the only genre of literature that survives in a rough terrain where a lot of writers groan. “This can be expressed in any language, form and style, as it pleases the writer. Whether the language of expression is simple or hard, it is the structure of poetry and the message it conveys that distinguishes it from the rest. Indeed, poetry has so far created an enormous positive impression on literature. It has immensely contributed to the promotion of language, culture and education generally.”
Nonetheless, Anikwe, whose poem was captured on his way to Ghana, described the lines as the way he felt about the adventure. Titled Bus without brake, some of the lines went thus: it is my vision. But being broke and on my way to Ghana… travelling to Ghana..a famished dream many months of this monster. At this rugged soul…” Sorrowfully, he narrated his ordeal on his way to Ghana by road. It was a journey that nearly drove him crazy. His ability to capture it in lines also drew argument from members. Did he do it well? Was it a well-articulated poetry? Is poetry really an admixture of structure and form and the like? The debate went on endlessly, yet it was clear that these new writers who emerge with new ideas and renewed vigour also need some measure of mentoring.
Mentoring is part of the grooming of writers. Ideas may be there; they can be put into words, yet it is good to have them presented more convincingly in order to promote literature more accurately. In his own short story presentation entitled Endless Night, Idoko Daniel said, “I was on my way home but darkness overtook me. I have waited for over five decades now but the day is yet to dawn. Help me, Owakum, to you I come. Lead me, Omanchala, lead me home. I beg your pardon, I have not introduced myself. I’m called Oche-awanda. This is not my real name, I was told, but no one has ever called me any name other than Oche–awanda since I grew up. So, I assume my name is Oche-awanda. I’m a poet, singing the ballad of woes.
People don’t like me, I don’t know why. Some say I talk too much… some say it’s better my tongue is severed off. My aunt complained the most about my garrulousness. She once scorched my tongue with a live coal of fire because I told her husband that a man came on his behalf and was leaking the palm kernel oil that my aunt used to wet her lips.
I told him that the man was also looking for something inside her bra. And that my aunt, refused to show him where the thing was. So his hand moved here and there inside her bra for a long time. Well, that happened when I was a child. Now, I’ve grown old, though people still complain that I talk too much. Even in this wicked desert, I have heard a lot about myself. Passers-by hailed me with different names and titles. Commentator. Announcer… they call from afar. I don’t care about what they call me. But I will like to tell you all I have witnessed in all my years of waiting: in all the days I have spent in this arid land waiting for the day to dawn…”
Such and more depicted the voices of some of the budding writers who grace these readings regularly. This story by Idoko invoked emotions and attracted attention. It is a story that shows a promising writer on his way to greatness if properly mentored. This is one of the whole essences of such outings by ANA: by Nigerian writers.
