The Association of Nigerian Authors ANA has secured the support of Melbet, one of the largest bookmakers in Nigeria. Melbet Nigeria is making incredible strides in the betting sector on a daily basis. The MELbet business transmits live the greatest athletic events. In some countries, the firm also provides other types of lotteries, TV games, and internet casinos. Melbet holds formal licenses in every nation in which it operates. Also, Melbet has its own partner program – Melbet Partners – which allows you to earn money by attracting new players. This partnership will enable ANA to spread literary information in Nigeria. The ANA would like to express its sincere gratitude for this support and looks forward to a long-term collaboration.
Ahead of the Association of Nigerian Authors ANA)’ celebration of its 40 years of existence across Ten Nigerian Cities, ANA yesterday received three million naira support from the legal luminary, Barrister Yusuf Ali (SAN), to boost literary awareness campaign in 2021. This marks the nineth year that ANA has taken delivery of similar support from Yusuf Ali. It will be recalled that the crises that rocked ANA after the 2019 Enugu Convention made the Association to lose the Yusuf Ali literary awareness campaign funds last year, 2020. ANA, therefore, wishes to express her gratitude to the generous benefactor for taking his time to diligently follow the issues in ANA until he is satisfied that the Association has put the ugly incident behind and moved ahead towards a future of rapid increase in literary activities.
Beyond its uplifting note this latest development is one out of many positive results so far recorded by the current ANA administration that confirms the diligence of the ANA National Executive Council (NEC) in the pursuit of normalization and upwards repositioning of the association after the Enugu crisis.
Thank you all for your unwavering faith in our EXCO. Better days are here by God’s grace.
The year 2021 marks 40 years since that evening in 1981 when a group of already established writers gathered in Nsukka, with the hills standing guard, to light a fire that has continued to blaze. Those writers, at the instance of the legendary Prof. Chinua Achebe, whom we will continue to salute for his lifetime of service, birthed the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
For the association, this is a year of history and hope. ANA members are proud to celebrate the legacy bequeathed to them by the founding fathers; a bequest they have succeeded in preserving over the years through storm and strife.
ANA, therefore, proposes a festival in ten Nigerian cities under the broad theme “ANA @ 40: The Resilience of Nigerian Literature.” The celebration will be taken to Nsukka, where ANA was birthed and to Ibadan, a major incubating ground for African literature. The other cities where the celebration will take place include Port Harcourt, Makurdi, Lafia, Bauchi, Kano, Lagos, Minna and Owerri, all chosen for their various shades of historical and literary significance.
The Secretariat will release a plethora of programs for each of the cities that will run from April through August. The celebrations will culminate in the International Convention to which many writers across the globe will be invited. Because of its significance, this year’s Convention, in November, will take place at the Mamman Vatsa Writer’s Village, Mpape- Abuja. There will also be a production of a special 40th Anniversary ANA Review and an anniversary magazine that will tell the ANA story thus far.
In order to deliver a 40th anniversary celebration that is worthy of our founding fathers’ dream, the national executive council, therefore, solicits the support of all ANA members across chapters, members united by a common cause – passion for literature and the search for a better world.
With the expiration of the tenure of the Halima Usman led Executive Committee of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Abuja Branch on April 19, 2020, and the long interregnum occasioned by the outbreak of COVID 19, the chapter has suffered the absence of a legitimate Executive Committee recognized by the Constitution and accepted by the members. This situation has led to a total grounding of literary activities in the said chapter.
It has therefore become imperative that urgent steps be taken to restore the Chapter to its accustomed vibrant self.
To this end, the National Executive Committee (NEC) hereby announces the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to oversee the said restoration of order and normalcy. The said Committee will discharge this singular function with the active support of NEC.
The following persons are with this announcement appointed to serve in the Committee:
1. Amb. Lois Otse Adams -Chairman
2. Uwem Okom -Member
3. Fahad Babangida -Member
4. Barr. Francis -Member
We wish the appointees all luck and success in the discharge of this historic burden.Maik OrtsergaGeneral Secretary
The remains of Late Prof. Jerry Agada are to be laid to rest in his hometown in Orokam of Benue State on Saturday 13th February, 2021. In the burial programme released and signed by Micheal I. Agada on the social media, it revealed that details of the burial arrangements had been made public. According to the programme, the burial ceremonies shall hold between Saturday 6th February, 2021 and Saturday 13th February, 2021. Below is the full detail of the burial arrangement. SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY, 2021
• Memorial Novelty March in honor of Prof. Jerry Agada as an ardent football fan and former goalkeeper of St. Francis College Otukpo
SUNDAY 7TH FEBRUARY, 2021
• Visit to mkd Residence by Catholic Faithfuls/Family Friends & Political Associates
MONDAY 8TH FEBRUARY, 2021
• ANA Benue Chapter & National Body • NLNG • Night of Tribute and Reading Session VENUE: Makurdi Residence
• In laws/Family members night out/club 30, Ofugwu, Aroji Summit & Agboriko community groups VENUE: Makurdi Residence
THURSDAY 11 FEBRUARY, 2021
• 6-8pm Service of Song (OLPH Idoma/English Choir) • MOBA & other Old Students’ Association Family night-out VENUE: Makurdi Residence
FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY, 2012
• Requiem Mass OLPH mkd 10:am • Departure for Orokam • Wake at Orokam 6pm (Daddy’s Compound)
SATURDAY 13TH FEBRUARY, 2021
• Funeral Mass and Reception at LEA Primary School Ukporo, Orokam
Born on 11 November 1952 at Orokam in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Jerry Agada started his educational journey at Joseph’s Primary School, Orokam, Benue State from 1959 to 1965 and to St. Francis Secondary School, Otukpo Benue State between 1966 and 1970. He proceeded to Kaduna Polytechnic, C.A.B.S Kaduna State in 1971 and after graduating from there in 1973 he attended the National Technical Teachers College, Yaba, Lagos State between 1973 and 1974 for the Technical Teacher’s Certificate in Commerce. He was also at the University of Exeter (MARJONS), Plymouth, United Kingdom between 1979 and 1981 where he obtained a Bachelor of Education (English). He also grabbed a Master of Commerce in Marketing from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland in 1984 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Sector Management from the Post Graduate School, Staton University, Tampa, Florida, United States in 2003. He was also at the University of Birmingham, School of Public Policy in October 2003 for the Certificate in Management Contracting & Partnership for Service Delivery.
He started his career in 1974 as classroom teacher in charge of Business Education subjects in Government College, Keffi. He was there until 1977 when he relocated to Government College, Makurdi in 1977 following the creation of Benue State. He served as Commissionaire with the Nigerian High Commission, London between 1982 and 1983. Upon his return to Nigeria, he was posted to Army Day Secondary School, Abakpa, Enugu for the National Youth Service Corps. He returned to Government College, Makurdi in 1985 as Head, Business Studies. By 1987, he had become Vice Principal (Administration) of the college. He also acted as the Principal of the College between 1987 and 1988 when he was formally appointed Principal of the College. He was in that position until 1992 when he was elevated to the position of Guidance Counselor and Principal Special Grade at the Headquarters of the Benue State Teaching Service Board. He was transferred to Government College, Utonkon in 1993 as Principal Special Grade. He held that position until 1996 when he was appointed the Executive Secretary, Benue State Examinations Board.
By 1999, Jerry Anthony Agada was again elevated to the position of Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture. He also served in the same capacity in the Ministry of Education, Benue State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Benue State Bureau of Political Affairs. Upon his retirement from the Civil Service of Benue State, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and sought election to the office of the Governor of Benue State. He lost the bid however, he later emerged as the Minister of State for Education, Federal Republic of Nigeria in July 2007. He left the Ministerial position in October 2008 but by March 2009, he was appointed as the chairman, Governing Board of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, (NCCE) Abuja.
In 2013, the European American University, Commonwealth of Dominica now an affiliate of the Western Orthodox University, appointed him as a Visiting Professor in Education. He has also been the chairman, Advisory Board, Presidential Schools Debate, Nigeria since 2013, Vice-Chairman, Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature of the Nigeria LNG NLNG since 2009 and chairman, Governing Council, Eastern Polytechnic, Port Harcourt since August 2015. In 2016 he was appointed Member Governing Council, Fidei Polytechnic Gboko, Benue State. In November 2016, he was appointed Chairman of the Benue State Civil Service Commission.
Jerry Anthony Agada was a Fellow, British Society of Commerce, Member, Institute of Marketing and Member, Nigeria Association of Business Educators, Member, Nigeria Association of Educational Administration and Planning. He is also a Fellow, Association of Nigerian Authors, Member, Nigeria Institute of Management and Member, Institute of Industrialist and Corporate Administration. In February 2012, he was selected as one of fifty men of integrity in Nigeria by the editorial board of the Guardian Newspaper of Nigeria. On 17 August 2017, he was honoured with the title of Africa’s Patriotic Personality of the Year by the African Students Union Parliament, (ASUP).
Jerry Anthony Agada has held several other positions in government and associations. He was the Chairman of the Benue State Petroleum Monitoring Committee between 1999 and 2000 and Member of the Benue State Reform Team between 2001 and 2006. He was also the Secretary General, National Orokam-Aroji Summit from 1992 to 1999 and chairman of the boardof Zion Micro-Finance Bank, Makurdi between 2006 and 2008. He is a past National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) and patron of its branch in Benue State. In November 2015, his Orokam Community in Ogbadibo LGA, honoured him with the Chieftaincy title of the Oyalobu 1 of Orokam – meaning “The Pacesetter’’ within the Community. He was also conferred with the title of “Omachi Onu Egume of Egume by the Igala Area Traditional council in 2008.
Prof. Jerry Agada died on the 22nd of December, 2020.
Selected books • The Secret Deal and Other Stories (1998) • Rage and Tears (2002) • The Soothsayer (2003) • The Secret Deal (2003) • The Honourable Chairman (2003) • The Magic Year: (a Poetry in Prose and Rhymes) • The Successors (2007)
The 12th of January,2021 will go down in history as the day the court affirmed that the largest body of writers in Africa, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), is truly illustrious- an elite body that has the uncommon internal mechanism to steer its own ship on the right path even in the face of demonic turbulence. After the botched Enugu 2019 convention with its attendant toxic politics, the ANA BOT and Advisory Council took clear headed steps guided by the association’s constitution to restore what was lost to the unprecedented Enugu impasse. Never in the history of our noble association has there been so much reckless disregard for decency in the barefaced insult of our iconic elders and the spread of satanic lies in the pursuit of selfish interests. Estimably, our responsible elders, supported by a devoted congress, took a productive leap above the fouled air, in rare display of dependability and patriotism, refused to be blackmailed out of focus and finally achieved their aim in restoring ANA once again to the path of progress.
While the association has since taken a kinetic rise in search of a better world, some group of implacable dissidents yet kept fanning the spread of malicious lies about certain court order and eventual verdict that will turn the world upside down. This is why we see the striking out of the suit instituted by Ahmed Maiwada for and on behalf of himself hiding under the nomenclature of a fictitious Registered Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Authors against Professor Jerry Agada & 6 Others at the FCT High Court 17 Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday 12 of January, 2021 as a remarkable victory for ANA and a vindication of the resolve of our elders and the larger congress to walk on the path of integrity and honour.
It is now obvious that those who deserted the truth pretty systematically at the trials have conclusively been exposed by the final judgment as pathological liars. They had blatantly lied to all who cared to listen that the court had given a restraining order against ANA leadership thus misleading their unsuspecting followers in keeping faith with their character of lying without conscience. They even boasted to their fellow travelers, who knew little about the workings of the court that they were going to lockup some of the leading lights of ANA for contempt of court that happened only in their frenzied imagination. The ruling was straight forward from the heart of Honourable Justice Peter O. Affen, a judge, who knew exactly what he was doing. He made the points explicitly, let his words speak for him: “having carefully and insightfully examined the supporting and counter affidavits annexed thereto and the arguments canvassed by counsels on both sides of the divide, it does not seem to me, on a balance of probabilities, that the institution of this action was dully authorized by the relevant organs of the claimant… since the Trustees who are statutory members of the claimant’s council or governing body have disassociated themselves from the suit, it seems to me obvious that the action is plagued by incompetence for being unauthorized…”
Funnily, the leadership of a certain dissenting group, so anxious to convince their supporters, had also painted a deceitful picture to the less discerning minds that the association has been existing without functional Board of Trustees and even took a step further to embarrass Prof. Bode Sowande with a fake BOT chairmanship appointment. In contrast, the court has proved otherwise. With this judgment, the court has thrown a torch into the dark alleys of such dishonest moves; in doing so, it revealed certain vaulting ambition to the world. It is a judgment that screams out to be quoted as a future reference.
We hope this judgment will finally put to rest all the raised dusts such that every well-meaning member of ANA will no longer be confused henceforth. The judgment is in line with what we have always known. It is the same conclusion that was reached when Barr. Ahmed Maiwada ran to the police crying foul, it is the same common tone that the ANA BOT and the Advisory Council have been singing all the while. Now that both the law and law enforcement agency have spoken with the voice of respect for the association and its internal capacity to resolve its matters, every ANA member with the paternal DNA of a writer must join hands to ensure that never shall our dirty linen be brought as close to the outside as the corridors of our formidable house.
Finally the judgment has naturally defined the right passageway to the open doors of camaraderie that ANA is known for and the door has been thrown open wider now to all writers of goodwill. There is ample room for repentance and reintegration. The more the merrier. Let us together build an ANA that will continue to live up the dreams of our founding fathers. All glory to God as we dedicate this victory to the loving memories of Professor Jerry Agada, who even in death has not forsaken the ideals of ANA.
Camillus Ukah Maik Ortserga President General Secretary
