Given the high crime rate, literary critics have said in literature lies the answer to moral reorientation. This is the view at the ‘Writers-in-focus’ organised by the Imo Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). The spotlight was on Camillus Chima Ukah and his works, reports Evelyn Osagie
In Literature, critics say, lies the key to curbing crime and insecurity. They urged the government to focus on promoting it as a means of reducing the vices.
“I have always said only the humanities can cure and heal the minds of Nigerians. If they focus more on promoting the humanities, particularly literature, there would be no security problem,” said the former ANA Delta chair, Prof Sam Ukala.
Ukala made the statement at the ‘Writers-in-focus’ organised by the Imo Chapter of the Association of the Nigerian Authors (ANA). To mark its second edition, the association chose to celebrate Camillus Chima Ukah and his literature with a symposium which saw foremost critic Prof Charles Nnolim, Associate Professor Grace MT Emezue and Dr Ngozi Chuma-Udeh as discussants.
His is a moralistic writer that sometimes delves into extreme characterisation to buttress his point on the need for patriotism and integrity, it was noted. Some called it “a literature of lamentation”. Others said it’s one of advocacy.
Unfolding the literature of Ukah, Nnolim focused his lecture, entitled: New writer in a new context on Ukah’s novel When the Wind Blows. He observed that the book is “a weeping and didactic novel.”
With the impunity with which people perpetrate crime, the don, thus, called attention to the need for capital punishment in curbing the menace as depicted in the novel.
He said: “Camillus creates characters that are extremely good or bad and promotes to the place of God that says if you are neither hot nor cold he would not tolerate such. It is not just a book that condemns corruption, the protagonist took a total charge to making things right, got her parents jailed and killed.
“Beyond saying there is a problem, you have to condemn and proffer solution. When the Wind Blows must therefore be adjudged a great moral book that is recommended for the Nigerian youth as well as the old, for the moral cleansing of this nation in anomy. As Africa and Nigeria continues to wallow irredeemably in the cesspool and sewage dump of corruption, what redeems in When the Wind Blows and gives it hope for redemption is the Jerry Rawlings’ treatment meted out to the culprits in the novel.”
On his part, former Minister of State and former President of ANA Dr Jerry Agada, who chaired the event, said not all political office holders were corrupt, “especially writers-in-politics and in government”.
“We try to correct those in government. And a sometimes seen as the outcast. But we are hoping that the day will come when mentioning Nigeria, what comes to mind is people with good quality. A forum as this, that shows the good side of Nigeria and that one day we would get it right, is commendable.”
Professor Emezue’s paper, tagged: Camillus Ukah’s vision and the dilemna of human conditioning, locates human relationship and conditioning as the primary focus of Ukah’s visions. She observed that his novels, particularly Dollars, Height and Angel, share the characteristics of the modern novel while Diary exhibits traits of post modernism.
She condemned Ukah’s larger-than-life characterisation, saying: “However, what becomes a bit worrisome is the nebulous and ephemeral nature of these characters. They are not so endowed with plausible human strength and foibles that underscore the successes they later achieve. Perhaps, the reason could lie in the author’s attempts to inundate them with as many trials as possible.”
Dr Udeh’s lecture showcased Ukah as an advocate of women rights. Tagged: Blazing the Trail of Women Emancipation, Dr Udeh said Ukah is among the few Nigerian male-authors who conscientiously try to break the age-long iron-like cultural discrimination against women. “He consistently moves for the equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field,” she said.
On the man, Ukah, some called him an “unsung hero”. He is a man who has dedicated his literary life to promoting themes that touch on humanity and mentoring younger writers, Nnolim commended ANA Imo for calling attention to Ukah’s feat.
Determined to sing the praises of its writers, ANA Imo established the ‘Writers-in-focus’. According to ANA Imo executives, the project seeks to bring the potential and achievements of its members to the public space.
ANA Imo Chapter chair Gbenga Ajileye said: “This is a nation where if your song is not LOUD; you are simply not heard! We have resolved to begin to sing the songs of those who have relentlessly devoted life and enormous energy to providing rhythm and beat to the literary songs of our clime and generation; true men and women of literature who have consistently provided the necessary aesthetics that adorn the pillars of literature creativity. We present to you, Camilus Chima Ukah, our ‘writers-in-focus’, a man who loves Literature and, like many of us, we hope Literature begins to love him.”
He noted that his administration seeks to make Imo “the literary capital of Nigeria.” To achieve this, he said, the chapter is creating more programmes and partnership. “We want to reawaken our literature in Imo from a despondent siesta. We appeal to the government, educational institutions, corporate organisations, individuals to come to our aid; provide funding for our programmes, sponsor writing residencies for writers, adopt a writer for publication, and above all, buy our books and READ them,” he added.
The author’s wife, Dr Petronilla Ukah, whose experience inspired Ukah’s When the Wind Blows, praised ANA for honouring her husband. “I feel on top of the world and humbled. I didn’t know I have such a great man in my house. He is so committed to his writing. We used to quarrel when he writes and writes that sleep or food is a problem. I am glad to see him honoured. I want to thank ANA Imo for bringing him to the limelight,” she said.
The event was attended by ANA National executives, including its Vice President Denja Abdullahi and its General-Secretary Baba Dzukogi, who also inaugurated ANA national teen authorship committee; and ANA members from across the nation including Chief (Mrs) Charry Ada Onwu-Otuyelu; ANA Kano chairman, Khalid Imam; Kamar Hamza (ANA Niger); Adedoyin Wale (Oyo) and Dame Chinyere Ibe.
Others were founding member of the Society for the Promotion of Igbo Language and Culture (SPILC) Mrs Pauline Kanene Davids; Co-ordinator, Reading Association of Nigeria (RAN), Imo chapter, Dr Ngozi Nwigwe, and His Highness, Igwe Iweka, among others.
The three-day event also featured a dramatic and award presentations, and commissioning of several art centres in schools, among others.
