Nigerian Authors commence building
of writers’ village
By
On May 27, 2017
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.
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