Writers association reaffirms commitment to Promote African Literature

The Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) has reaffirms its commitment to promote of African literature. The group vowed to promote African languages and translate African literature into African languages.

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It also remains committed to the promotion of research into recording and retrieving of lost or undiscovered African heritage whether on the continent, in the diaspora or in museums and libraries of the world.

 

The association, in a communiqué issued at the end of its conference and General Assembly held between June 24 and June 25, at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo state called for the promotion of peace and understanding in Africa and the world through literature.

 

 

The conference, themed “Literature Since Makerere 1962 The African Writers’ Pan African Agenda For Peace, Security and Cultural Development” was organised by the Pan African Writers’ Associations (PAWA), Nigeria Academy of Letters (NAL) and the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

 

 

 

According to PAWA, these are parts of its ideas and principles as an association, which also include the defence of freedom of expression for all Africans and the material and spiritual interests of African writers and their associations, promotion of literacy and the eradication of illiteracy in Africa, the encouragement of the inclusion of African literary works in the curriculum of educational institutions.

 

The six-point communiqué called for the inclusion of literary activities for young writers in all PAWA’s activities and the urgent need for governments of African countries to fulfill their financial obligations to PAWA in order to enable the association to actualise its mandate as laid down by its founding fathers.

 

Vice President of. Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo speaking at the opening ceremony called on African writers to raise critical minds that will reduce the spate of insurgency, extremism and coups in the continent. He stated that for decades, African continent has witnessed several incidences of civil wars and insurgencies, noting that in recent years, it has also witnessed several coup d’états in some countries, including Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan.

 

The continent, he said, is also dealing with security challenges from terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP in the Sahel region. According to him, collaboration is required across the whole of Africa, to effectively tackle the continent’s security challenges, including terrorism, mercenary bandits, arms and drug trafficking, and transnational crime networks. He said “It is possible to reduce the menace of coups, insurgencies and bad governance in parts of the continent by breeding a critical mass of young Africans using their creativity and energies in culture, entertainment and technology.”

 

He stated that ‘already our young people are at the vanguard of advocacy for good governance and the enhancement of citizens fundamental human rights and this is as it should be.’

 

The Vice President who spoke as Special Guest of Honour was represented by the DG, DAWN, (Development Agenda for Western Nigeria) Seye Oyel

 

The two-day conference with representatives of 32 national writers associations from African countries also witnessed the election of new executives that will run the association for the next three years.

 

 

The Nation/S.S