The rich tapestry of Nigeria's literary history comes alive through the recollections of the formative years of the Association of Nigerian Authors in Bendel State. This journey into memory reveals both the triumphs and complexities of establishing one of Nigeria's most important literary institutions.
The 1985 National Convention: A Gathering of Literary Giants
In 1985, a significant moment unfolded in Nigerian literary history when ANA Bendel hosted the national convention at the University of Benin's main auditorium. This event marked the transition of leadership from the legendary Chinua Achebe to Professor Kole Omotoso, who would become the association's next president.
The convention took on international significance with participants attending from across the globe. Delegates came from the Soviet Union, United States, and Ghana, giving the gathering a truly cosmopolitan character. Among the distinguished international guests was Atukwei Okai, the late Ghanaian poet who served as Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association for many years.
The event also featured prominent Nigerian literary figures, including Biodun Jeyifo, the renowned critic of Edo North origin, who made a striking impression in his well-crafted adire shirt of attractive brown color worn with sky blue jeans. His presence highlighted the connection between Nigerian writers in the diaspora and those at home.
Literary Clash and Reconciliation
One of the most memorable moments of the convention involved a scholarly disagreement between Chinua Achebe and Tunde Fatunde. The tension arose from their significantly different literary perspectives, with Fatunde reportedly suggesting that Achebe held reactionary views.
The exchange created quite a stir among attendees, with one observer noting that Fatunde's English might have failed him during the heated discussion, leading to misunderstandings. However, the situation was eventually resolved when Fatunde, who was co-hosting the gathering, offered an apology after unburdening his literary conscience.
This episode demonstrated the vibrant intellectual debates that characterized Nigerian literary circles during this period, showing that even established figures like Achebe faced rigorous critique from emerging voices.
The Foundation of ANA Bendel's Literary Culture
Long before the formal establishment of ANA Bendel, the literary scene in Benin City was already thriving through student writing clubs. These groups would meet weekly in the common room of Hall Three, an all-male hostel at the University of Benin, to read and critique each other's poetry and short stories.
The sessions, which typically ran from six o'clock until between nine and ten in the evening (sometimes stretching to nearly eleven), were organized by English top major Ikuewumi Manuwa and Ogaga Ifowodo of the Faculty of Law. Academic staff occasionally participated in these gatherings, creating a bridge between formal education and grassroots literary development.
These meetings occasionally attracted literature lovers from outside the university community, including Mr. Pius Oleghe, a radiant poet and contemporary of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka from their University College Ibadan days in the 1950s. Oleghe, who was serving in the state's civil service in Benin at the time, represented the connection between different generations of Nigerian writers.
The Department of English and Literature at the University of Benin played a pivotal role in transforming these informal gatherings into the formal structure of ANA Bendel. The dedication of figures like Festus Iyayi, Odun Balogun, Tunde Fatunde, and others ensured that Bendel State would never be considered a place of uneasiness in matters of learning, literature, and the arts.
This recollection serves as a powerful reminder of Bendel State's significant contributions to Nigerian literature and the vibrant intellectual community that flourished in Benin City during this formative period for Nigerian writing.
