The 45th Annual International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has highlighted the role of literature, drama and storytelling in strengthening national unity, promoting peaceful coexistence and preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
The call was made on Friday in Abuja by literary figures and other stakeholders at the four-day convention, which runs from October 29 to November 1 at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village.
The event is themed “Literature, National Security and the Place of Nigeria in the World”.
Participants noted that literature remains a potent instrument for fostering peaceful coexistence, promoting moral reorientation and preserving cultural identity.
READ ALSO: MultiChoice Renews Support for Calabar Entertainment Conference, Festival
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Mahfouz Adedimeji argued that national security should not be limited to military and physical protection but should also encompass human security, social justice, freedom of thought and the conditions that enable people to lead meaningful lives.
Adedimeji described literature as vital for averting conflict and strengthening international relations.
“Literature serves as early warning; literature is a form of informal diplomacy,” the professor said.
The keynote speaker noted that securing the nation also involved protecting its identity and ensuring that Nigerians retained ownership of their national narrative.
“We must secure Nigeria; most importantly, we must secure the Nigerian story, if not, others will keep defining us,” Adedimeji stressed.
The professor said Nigerians possessed the intellectual and creative capacity to achieve more, calling for greater investment in literature and the humanities.
Adedimeji advocated literary festivals, drama activities and book clubs, particularly for children, to encourage reading and stimulate creativity. The achievements of Nigerian writers and actors, the speaker noted, already demonstrated the country’s creative potential.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Nigerian Government, Mr George Akume, said the stories Nigerians told about themselves, their values and how they managed differences would shape the country’s future.
Represented by Mrs Bekearedebo Warrens, Akume said Nigeria’s linguistic, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity should be harnessed as a strength rather than exploited as a source of division.
The SGF observed that literature could highlight the consequences of injustice and stimulate dialogue on social justice.
Akume urged writers to promote responsible citizenship, advance narratives that discouraged violence and help Nigerian literature reach wider audiences. The government representative also underscored the need to encourage reading among children, support emerging writers and strengthen institutions that provide space for literary expression.
Earlier, in his welcome address, ANA President and chief host, Dr Usman Akanbi, said literature remained central to shaping national identity, interrogating societal challenges and promoting mutual understanding among Nigerians.
Akanbi outlined three pillars for the association’s future: institutional strengthening, empowerment of writers and re-engagement with government.
The association’s plans, according to the president, included developing the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, supporting young and established writers through workshops and publishing opportunities, and collaborating with government on national orientation and cultural development.
“We must create a conducive environment for all Nigerians, particularly our youths, to protect their future and to renew their belief in the prospects of a better Nigeria,” Akanbi stated.
The ANA president also called for enhanced security, improved road infrastructure and responsible political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Government cannot do it alone, and citizens cannot thrive without responsible government,” he emphasised.
Also speaking, Dr Bukar Usman described Nigeria as a motherland that citizens had a duty to protect.
“Nigeria is our motherland, and we will defend it,” Usman declared.
The literary figure urged Nigerians not to be distracted by comparisons with other countries, stressing that Nigeria’s security situation should be assessed within its own context.
Usman described Nigeria as the world’s largest Black nation, endowed with immense diversity, rich traditions and cultural heritage, much of which had been documented in literature and deserved to be preserved and promoted.
He also recalled Nigeria’s contributions to pan-African associations and emphasised the importance of honesty.
“For people who are honest, the sky is their limit,” he maintained.
The convention brought together dignitaries, writers and other stakeholders from Nigeria’s literary community.
Activities lined up for the event include panel discussions, literary sessions and a book exhibition featuring publications from ANA chapters nationwide.
NAN
