The Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd), has commended the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) for providing mentorship and development opportunities for young writers.
Irabor gave the commendation in an interview with journalists on the sideline of the June edition of the monthly Reading and Writers Dialogue on Saturday in Abuja.
According to him, such initiatives will inspire young Nigerians to become writers, thereby contributing meaningfully to national development.
The dialogue, which was held at the Mamman Vatsa’s Writers Village, is a flagship programme of the Abuja chapter of ANA that brings together authors, literary enthusiasts and students.
Irabor, who featured as the special guest for the June edition of the event, said the monthly dialogue was a veritable platform for interactions between scholars, students and literary enthusiasts.
“This platform that ANA uses to bring students from various schools is the way to go, and we must support it.
“Their performances today actually show that they are aware of what is happening in our country.
“They know our history and they are actually preparing themselves for the future.
“I am delighted. Kudos to ANA for the work they are doing in this regard,” he said.
The former CDS, who launched his new book, “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” last year, said writers were critical stakeholders in nation building.
According to him, the “masterpiece” was conceived to provoke a national conversation on how Nigeria handles its security threats.
“It is necessary to tell your story because if you fail to tell your story, then of course, someone will tell the story and it will not be in your favour.
“Having revolved in defense and security for close to four decades, I thought that I have something to contribute that will advance the cause of defense and security in Nigeria.
“That is the reason I wrote the book, and I will keep writing,” he said.
Literature as ‘Conscience of Society’
Earlier in his opening address, the Chairman of ANA Abuja, Chukwudi Eze, said “literature has always served as the conscience of society, as it preserves history, interrogates leadership, heals wounds, inspires hope, and builds bridges”.
He said the choice of Irabor as guest writer for the dialogue was to draw from his experience both as a celebrated military officer and an author.
According to him, the writer and the soldier may appear to walk different paths, yet both are custodians of our national destiny.
He added that while one defends the nation through arms; the other preserves it through written ideas.
“We must therefore continue to tell our stories, document our journeys, and humanise our leadership.
“We must create spaces where intellect meets experience, where young people can listen, question, and learn from those who have carried the weight of national responsibility,” he said.
Eze said Abuja chapter of ANA remains committed to sustaining the culture of reading, dialogue, critical engagement, and literary excellence.
NAN
