BENUE ANA CHAIRMAN ON HIS AWARD

The Association of Nigeria Authors ANA national secretariat recently held a national convention. Among other activities which took place at the national convention was the awards' ceremony which was done on the last day of the event.
The event was held at Nigeria's premiere University; University of Ibadan -UI at the Faculty of Arts.
Benue state ANA chairman won an award in the Poetry category and PurpleSilver had a chat with him.

PS - Su’eddie welcome to the media arm of PurpleSilver. How do you feel about your recent award?

SVA - It is really nice to be recognized. Most writers—I think myself in this group—don’t really write for awards but we can’t deny that the recognition is some confirmation that you are getting something right.

Su'eddie Vershima Agema

 

PS - What does this award mean?

SVA - It means much. It is a validation of sorts and fortunately, would make people of our generation and those around our parts to know that if this guy could get it, yes, we can. It makes things more local for us and gives a whole lot of writers in our generation, our parts and around to aspire to get this and far more. So to say, there are those who used to think that this thing—the ANA Poetry Prize—is for superstars alone like the very talented and legendary writers like Niyi Osundare, Hyginus Ekwuazi, Tubal Cain or Amu Nnadi. To have a ‘smally’ get it makes it more realistic to aspire for. I am thinking also of our younger writers like Debbie Iorliam, Celina Kile, Letter Dennis, Ene Odaba. As an aside, shortly after the award, my younger sister, Jennifer Emelife said that the award was coming down. It had gone to Amu Nnadi—Papa—in 2013, had come to this bro (myself) in 2014 and would go to her in 2015. See? So, yes, it means much to us all.

PS - Why do you think you won?

SVA - I can’t really say, and yes, it could have gone to anyone on the shortlist. For instance, we were talking—Saddiq Dzukogi (my good friend and a fellow shortlister for the award)—and I told him that if he won, he would give me 30%. I was not flattering him; I think he writes fine  poetry.  The joint winner, Ebi Yeibo writes really well too. So, why was I chosen in the end? Good fortune? Maybe the difference between the longlisting of Bring our casket home: tales one shouldn’t tell in 2013 and this one winning is because I was more careful in the crafting of this collection. The new collection, Home equals holes: Tale of an Exile has structural smartness, maybe some more finesse and all. But above this all, I know Aôndo’s hand played in our favour this time and we came smiling back to Benue with the trophy and the cheque.

PS - As the Chairman of ANA Benue does this have any significance?

SVA - Yes, I think it does. It goes to show that as a Chairman, you are not meant to be political alone, lead others but be active in producing works that would speak for you. As the Tiv proverb goes, when you show the way you point with your finger. We can’t be leaders by words alone but also by deeds. So, in a way, I am leading our branch of the association by example showing them that ‘People, let’s get these things. Aspire and let us get more of these trophies.’ Hopefully, it would set a precedence for other members to also get their acts together, to write really well—not just for local prizes or even prizes alone—and reach out to a whole lot of people.

1.       How has it been in the leadership of ANA and what are the challenges?

SVA - It has been fun and greatly challenging. We have a focus which is building the capacities of our younger writers to the best of our abilities and ensuring they get their works to a wider audience. We have had a few challenges tussling with our older members who think that it might have been better if far older people were in the saddle. We respect this opinion of theirs—everyone is entitled to theirs—and rather than take the fight that has been seemingly challenged to us, use what strength and resource we have to strategize to strengthen the association through every means possible while building our youth.

PS - Is there any difference between your anticipated challenges and your current challenges?

SVA - Well, I have been in the Executive for some years now (since 2009 or so) so I had an idea of a few of the challenges we would face. Still, there are a few that have hit us in the face which I hope we would overcome. There is a rich list but I have a competent Executive team comprising people like the lovely novelist Pever X, the poet Maik Ortserga, Edentu Oroso, Alex Hembaor and Paul Ugah—to mention a few—who are always by the corner to help fight these challenges. We also have organizations like Purple Silver, SEVHAGE, friends like Dr. Maria Ajima, Dr. Tsenongu, Sam Ogabidu, Otene Ogwuche, Laz Mom, H. O. C Kochis, Ada Agada (who has kept our online presence active by curating the Benue ANA group) who keep ensuring that we get things done.

left to right: Terese, Ene, Su'eddie, Debbie

       PS - How would you describe your leadership?

SVA - Our leadership—we are a team working with an Executive and our members—is inclusive, calculative, progressive and proactive. We are moving forward, not at the speed we wish to, but with a vision. Hopefully, at the end of this tenure, we would all have something to celebrate. At that time, we would find a full description to our collective leadership.

PS - Is there anything you are looking forward to at this time to make better your leadership?

Sure. Support in all ramification. I need every support from every member. The sad part about ANA—and most organizations, I guess—is that most people believe that the entire job of running an organization should be on the shoulders of the leader. We seem to forget that the leader should only point while we follow. In the end, it becomes really tasking. If we can get support in terms of members always coming for readings, paying their dues, supporting our projects and spreading the gospel of literature around, I think the association would be better off.

       PS - How much time do you have left as the Chairman of ANA?

SVA - I have about fifteen months left.

PS - What possibilities do you see between now and time of tenure expiration?

I see endless possibilities including creating opportunities for better writing and appreciation of the arts and literature in Benue and among members of our generation in the period remaining of our tenure as well as beyond that. We hope to leave structures on ground that would outlast us. We hope to have our writers have a better sense of their worth because we have amazing writers here who don’t half know the value of what they can do. We hope to have a workshop or two, readings and create avenues where we can have writers come here for interactions and have our writers go to other areas and be exposed. We hope to also co-opt secondary and primary schools by organizing programmes to include them. And there are a whole lot more but it is better to have more accomplished than simply talk and not achieve a quarter.

PS - What is the ideal environment you think would flourish and prosper ANA Benue?

SVA - There is never a better ideal environment, my brother. We have the ideal environment at the moment. All we need is for all our members to believe in themselves, support us and themselves too and we would all flourish, prosper and reach far greater heights as individual writers and collectively, as ANA Benue.

Su'eddie Vershima Agema

PS - What do you expect of ANA National?

SVA - We expect that the National would keep creating programmes to promote literature and literacy across the nation. I expect the National to take an interest in the inner politics of its branches and intervene when necessary to ensure that there is less acrimony among members at any and every level.

PS - How do you foresee ANA National at the present?

SVA - The National Executive under Remi Raji, Denja Abdullahi, Richard Ali, Chinyere Obi-Obasi, Joy Esuku et al have done much. It is important to note that. They have inaugurated the Nigerian Writers’ Series (our Publicity Secretary, Pever X is a beneficiary of the goodness of this project) and made the awards to be more appealing, more embracing of writers across generations. The prayer is that they keep the taking the association to higher heights, by being transparent and fighting for the rights of the generality of writers everywhere.

PS - The Nigerian populace surely has literary enthusiasts, what are your words to them?

SVA - Our literary enthusiasts are great and have helped us do much. I can only pray that they don’t lose their steam. People like Lola Shoneyin, Jahman Anikulapo, Servio Gbadamosi, Femi Morgan, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, Chuma Nwokolo, Emman Shehu, Dike Chukwumerije, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Toni Kan, Jite Efemuaye, Richard Ali, Samson Iruesiri Kukogho, Enigmatic Olumide, Eriata Oribhabhor, Anselm Ngutsav have helped promote our writing and writers in many ways. I pray that they keep keeping on in all they do. Things can only get better for all of us writers. To readers who don’t think we have much to offer, please think again dear ones. There’s so much happening in Nigerian literature and you have to only read the works of the people I just mentioned above now, ElNathan John, Nnedi Okorafor, Pever X, Ola Nubi, Agatha Aduro,  Reward Nsirim, Iquo Eke, Bash Anumeni,  Eugene Odogwu, to know that we have so much more to read to leave any and everyone wowed!

PS - Thank you for honouring this interview sir.

SVA - My absolute pleasure. Thank you.

Interview conducted and edited by Anselm Sesugh Ngutsav for PurpleSilver Media.

Kwaheri; Ali Mazrui

Ali Mazrui

The renowned Professor and academic of African decent Ali Mazrui,has joined his ancestors at the age of 81.

Reports reaching us say he passed away at 3 o'oclock Kenyan time on Monday morning in the USA where he has been lecturing, according to a Kenyan newspaper, The Star.

Leaders from the coast led by Governor Hassan Joho and the county’s senator, Omara Hasan, eulogised Mazrui as a scholar of note.

Muhuri lobby group’s Khalif Khelif said Mazrui was unwell piror to his demise and said the scholar had wished to be buried in Mombasa.

“He had wished to be buried in Mombasa’s historical Fort Jesus area," said Khelif.

Plans are underway to transport his body back to Mombasa for burial.

Mazrui was born in Mombasa on February 24, 1933 and is famed for his writings on politics in Africa as well as Islamic studies.

 

Kwaheri : goodbye in Kenyan language.

INTERVIEW WITH SU’EDDIE VERSHIMA AGEMA - Telling his Perspective of Literary Tales by Anselm Ngutsav

Su’eddie Vershima Agema is a lot of things, an Editor and Publisher with the SEVHAGE imprint of VERSHAGE Enterprises; Team Leader at SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative (a registered charity); Vice Chairman Association of Nigerian Authors (Benue State Chapter); Council Member, National Teen Authorship Scheme of the Association of Nigerian Authors; Editor of Slyk and Distinct Magazine – to mention a few. More known for his poetry, he was featured as one of the Top 50 Contemporary Poets that rocked Nigeria (2013) by the EGC team, a Nigerian poetry movement. Su’eddie is the author of Bring our casket home: tales one shouldn’t tell (SEVHAGE 2012) which has been on some award lists already. We had an interview with him and here are the excerpts...

1.       You interview people yourself so assuming you were to ask you a question; what would be the first question you would ask? And what is the answer?

That would be something towards the light of meeting the writer or person. Who am I? Well, some scribbler hoping to make a mark wherever I find myself, inspiring while being inspired by everyone and everything around me.

2.       What is it would you say you do?

Wow! That’s somewhat difficult to answer, really. I do a lot of things – and I think you mean profession here, right? Among lots of things, here are a few: I write, edit professionally and publish. I conduct workshops for students and youths on literature and writing; and I edit a magazine, Slyk and Distinct Magazine which is online, in Lagos and other parts of the South-West, Nigeria.

3.       You have a published collection of poems ‘Bring our Casket Home: Tales one shouldn’t Tell’. What inspired you towards this? And what do you have to say about the book? Any awards yet?

Bring our casket home is a product of some six years of writing and serious refining. The collection is made up of several poems that came at different times. Most have been refined over the six year period and are really lucky to have come when they did. Ultimately, I think I can say the inspiration in summary would be life, love, living and death inspired the collection. You would find a bit of these on every page.

The book is something that I smile about. There are a few things I’d change if I was to do it all over but as they stand, I give Aôndo the praise for His grace. Every time I pick that book up, I find something new. The poems speak to me differently and I always find it fascinating when I discuss a poem there or two with someone. Poetry sure has its ways!

Awards... Hmmm. Okay, the book as a whole was longlisted for the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Poetry (2013). One of the key poems, ‘Tales one shouldn’t tell often’ was shortlisted for the PEN Nigeria/Saraba Prize for Poetry (2013). More than these though, I have had that award most writers long for: testimonies that the book has touched someone in one way or the other. Trust me, there’s no better award than that.

4.       We understand the ring of the SEVHAGE and VERSHAGE as all connected to you, what can you tell us about them?

SEVHAGE has two faces. On the one hand, it is a publishing imprint of VERSHAGE enterprises and on the other, it is a registered charity, SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative with a great board of directors comprising writers, academics, lawyers and development enthusiasts. SEVHAGE in summary has the vision of promoting literature generally and to use that now popular phrase – taking it to the next level. At VERSHAGE, we have a full enterprise catering to publishing demands from independent editorial services, workshops, publishing to consultancies.

5.       Is the journey of running a literary Non Governmental Organisation worth the time to you?

It isn’t easy especially when you are running most of it from your pocket and all but the truth is, there’s so much joy and fulfilment when dreams come alive. When you look at other such organisations as Write House in Ibadan, Abuja Literary Society and Abuja Writers’ Forum in Abuja, your Purple Silver here and those great other people doing one thing or the other in the promotion of literature, it makes you know you aren’t mad... or that if you are, you aren’t the only one. Hee hee hee. So, yes, even when the moment brings the headache, the aftermath makes every second, every sweat of it worth the time.

6.       Describe the reception and public appreciation of work by your organization.

Well, I can’t say what the public appreciation is. People should say how they feel. So far though, people have been kind and appreciative. I guess that’s that.

7.       That brings us to the issue of your programs for 2014. Can you please share your planned programs?

We have several projects on hand, the charity partnering with the registered charity. We have two flood anthologies, one for short stories and another for poems coming out this first quarter. It was meant to have been published last year but the editorial board decided that it should be done more properly. We had to get permissions from individual authors for works used and do a more thorough editorial job. We also have the ONE HUNDRED YEARS AND A DAY project which celebrates the Nigerian project. It comes in two phases. The first comes up on 8^th February 2014 and we would be having an evening of spoken word poetry, songs, poetry, short fiction and talks at the Aper Aku House opposite the Benue State University, Makurdi. The project continues later with an anthology of two, a competition and a few other things that would be put up online. There’s meant to be something of a festival at some point. We would have workshops, and continue to partner with literary organisations nationwide to promote literature. That is on the charity front.

On the publishing front, we are looking to more e-publishing platforms to serve our clients, doing a lot more publicity, and having more events so that there is value for every kobo spent with us.

8.       Your organization is based in Makurdi, how does the literary front of Benue state and Makurdi in particular look like?

Correction: our organization is not based in Makurdi alone. We have an agency in New Karu, Nassarawa state, Abuja and Ibadan. We have our head office here. That said, the literary front in Makurdi and Benue is quite healthy. We have a crazy mixture of really talented writers and just people who have raw talents that need to be fine tuned. We have an emerging generation of fabulous writers who are set to make a name where certain limitations held back our immediate elders. People like Joshua Agbo, Maik Ortserga, Pever X, Ada Agada, Kurannen Baaki, Alex Hembaor, Sewe Leah Anyo, Debbie Iorliam, Aôndosoo Labe, Samuel Okopi, Ene Odaba, Anselm Ngutsav, Hilary Oklobia and the like. We have adopted sons like Hymar David and Sibbyl Whyte (laughs). There’s much to smile at but these writers need lots of things. They need support from organisations that would promote them as most of them are not really endowed to take their writings to the top levels. Fortunately, with more support from friends like Unoma Azuah, Chuma Nwokolo, Sam Ogabidu, Omadachi Oklobia and the elderly counsel of Maria Ajima, Moses Tsenôngu, and the like, there’s hope. Much more is needed though for there are several voices that need encouragement.

9.       Do you think there is anything for writers and those in the literary arena in Benue?

Of course, there is so much! We are going to witness much in the year, by Aôndo’s special grace. I am seeing competitions, workshops, a festival and so. Maybe, there would be more organisational appeal, the hand of the Benue Association of Nigerian Authors (which has been doing much but not near enough), more events. If those here don’t lose faith, if they come together and join forces to move our literature forward, there would be just so much for writers and other artists. The first concentration would be in Makurdi, of course. Subsequently, I believe things would move to the other parts but I have great hope. More than just hope, I have faith and there’s work added. Our combined work is already showing.

10.   What needs to be done to move the literary front in Nigeria?

This question has been asked too many times to different writers and it becomes somewhat redundant. What does one say? More sponsorship? More commitment? Well, we need to get our acts together and be more committed to the project of writing and writers generally. We don’t need to rely on government or associations alone to promote literature. What can we do on our own? Can we donate books? Can we come together and do projects? Recently, we went into partnership with Words, Rhymes and Rhythms - WRR (whose curator is Kukogho Iruesiri Samson, the author of What words can do?) to do a book. Different writers coming together to contribute and publish with some support from SEVHAGE and WRR. There are people like Lola Shoneyin (with her Ake festival), Abubakar Adam Ibrahim interviewing and promoting different writers, Dike Chukwumerije mentoring little children in spoken word and organising events for the Abuja Literary Society; Toni Kan in his Sunday Sun Revue; Ken Azahan and Paul Ugah doing their media share; and many others. We have to move from just making words alone to putting action together. In that way, and only through that way, would we move to the next level because let’s face it: no one would take you serious if you don’t take yourself serious.

11.   Is Benue’s case different or she shares in the separate ideal of efforts necessary to project it?

Well, Benue’s case is no different. It is something we all must do, anywhere and everywhere.

12.   What do you think the government can do to develop the literary industry?

There are always lots of projects that the government can sponsor – workshops; support literary festivals; create residencies; support writer causes; anthologies that get writers in print; making legislations to curb piracy; making a legislation to create a proper milling industry (we don’t make paper in the country, we import!); do programmes to support reading and writing that are practical and not just for show; we can have poet laureates, you know; make writers more visible. The list is endless sha.

13.   Do you see the Nigerian literary system moving forward without government’s support?

That’s a funny question. The Nigerian literary system – if we can call it that – is moving and far. You see lots of our writers gaining recognition and awards more and more, nationally and internationally. You have more individuals and organisations supporting literature. See what is happening with the current Remi-Raji national leadership of the Association of Nigerian Authors. See WriteHouse collective, Pulp Faction, EGC group; see even the Word, Rhymes and Rhythm group... What about Naija Stories, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), Saraba Magazine, Paressia, Farafina and Cassava Republic and those other publishers trying to move things out of nothing. See what is happening in Abuja – the Abuja Writers’ Forum; Association of Nigerian Authors (Abuja Chapter) and Abuja Literary Society are taking literature to great heights. The events they are putting up are phenomenal and the interest in literature, our literature is picking. Did I mention the effort of government anywhere here? No. The government’s support is little or not there. So, what are we saying? Government support would help a lot, whether in terms of grants, recognition or any legislation that would aid writers. None is being got at the moment but hey, we still are moving. Yiiiihaaa!

14.   Finally, what do you think awaits the entire planet of writers in Benue state?

A whole lot. Publishing opportunities, competitions, events, lots of authors coming over... exposure... There’s much coming writers’ way in Benue state but they are going to have to play their part. There’s lots of sowing to do at the moment and we must all put our hands together to work hard and get our best.

15.   Looking at how we started perhaps you may ask yourself and answer a question you may have wished to be asked as a close. Let’s call these the colleague privileges.

Privilege. Hee hee hee. Not sure there’s much of any other question to add. I would simply say ‘Thank you’ to everyone who has supported us in our writing and activities. To every writer who’s taking time off your normal job and schedule, well done. Don’t give up, there’s a reward. Keep the faith and let’s see how we would take ourselves, writing and the literary process to a higher level.

16.   Thank you very much for your time and we would hopefully be around to have covered your activities and programmes.

Amen. It would be great. Thank you.

NOTE:

Aôndo - 'God' in Tiv language.

Non formal English expressions italicised except laughter indications. 

(c) PurpleSilver 2014.

 

 

PurpleSilver Session: Saturday, January 25, 2014 by Kurannen

Saturday, January 25, 2014
Aper Aku House,
Makurdi.

I have struggled to attend any of the reading sessions in Makurdi, hosted either by BENUE ANA or the new kid on the block Purple Silver. Out of great desire and the fear of having to rue missing the best opportunity I'd have in a long time to gather among the amazing literary community in Benue, I left Kaduna on Jan. 25, 2014 and arrived Makurdi just in time for Purple Silver.
I thought the program started late, but I guess I had been misinformed about the time. Anselm Ngutsav, a well informed and interesting fellow, the same fellow who had ushered me in, ran the show. I can tell Anselm is energetic too.
But before it all began, I and Anselm spoke about life generally, about the Nigerian state, how we are still struggling with the basics, and about careers (whether there was a relevance for most of them in the Nigerian setting).

Anselm carried about what I reasoned to be a sophisticated camera (the type a professional photographer would carry). He loves photography. I do too, only that he is on another level.
It was a day for poems. That forced me to read one of my short stories, CEMETERY ROAD, out in the just released NaijaStories short story collection LAGOS HANKY PANKY and Other Stories -www.ns-publishing.com. My memory holds very little of the poems. The poets either read their poems from memory or their electronic devices, and without hard copy references among us, little distractions were all it took. Love and heartbreak, hopelessness and despair dominated the themes. Maik Ortserga thought writers should be more optimistic when he commented on one of the poems Suicide Note. After the rain would come sunshine. Night could last only as long.

Two hours of engaging presentations and conversations. It was a lively moment, one that was capped with juice and red wine courtesy of an adorable lady among the crowd (you ask me what I had and that is obvious, but don't go there. Don't tell me Soyinka said something about alcohol enhancing creativity. I take red wine because I like it). She did not only that but rendered a lovely poem that X observed was coming from a trademark theme (X is mischievous, I could tell). She earned The Quest from me. Another fine, rather small lady, who, in a satisfyingly expressive manner, told a beautiful poem also went away with The Quest. And I won S's collection Bring Our Casket Home (for being a ten-second genius).
I had announced my coming and if I had announced it earlier, I'd have managed to have the African Original, Ada Agada attend. S did not wait for me to get on the road this time. He was already in Abuja.
The program started before X breezed in, in a rather dazzling fashion looking like he'd been wandering Makurdi that day for fun.
Having been one among the first to arrive, the first, of course, to my knowledge, being Anselm, I took a vantage point, where I could see Sewe Leah, Debbie, Mercy...every other person else, before they saw me. This was not a mischievous tactic, as maybe Ada might want you guys to believe, but so much had been said already. I would meet the pretty ladies.
I guess Sewe Leah has mastered the act of sneaking into lectures when late. It was a fluid walk, one that was rather slippery. If 'hips lied', I'd have had to look closely.
Later I told Sewe Leah she looked slimmer. X said pictures made people look big. I squinted but did not argue. Debbie has not employ me to shoot her photos.
After Purple Silver was the round table, somewhere around Gyado Villa, that place university students have hijacked. It was my idea. I refused to leave without taking Sewe Leah out. X would come as well. X did not drink beer and opted for an energy drink. And what he said was Soyinka's direct opposite. I do not drink beer. I don't like it.

Sewe Leah said I had a great smile and X tore out of his skin. X had been fighting over Sewe Leah, in what battle and enemy I am yet to comprehend. I agree that should be his complement. I have only been learning how to smile recently after intense reproach and had no idea I was learning fast.
We all said adios some two hours later.
I returned home, where I would lay my head for the night before proceeding to Gboko, knowing that though the friends were not complete, I could gladly go, for that long, and would not have to kick myself the whole time.

The Session That Ended 2013!

Marking the last session of the year 2013 was rather an event than a weekly session. People showed up in high-spirits and non was disappointed with the entire show and presentations.

When you come for the session you get prepared to ‘think’. The entire room attempted composing a poem with one line contributions from any who desired and if your muse is not in touch with you, just place your hand against your chest to be skipped. Exciting lines reeled out, then the discussion began with the topic: ‘You don’t teach a person in love with you how to love you’. Usual of the discussions is a trashing of the topic to a rational end. However the conclusion was both satisfying and encouraging.

The topic was one out of three suggested and after being most voted for. The other topics were ‘talent is not enough’ and the third which was later stated by the person who asked to have no actual conclusion was ‘what is the purpose of meaning’?

The major guest was a spoken word poet all the way from Abuja; Bashiru ‘Bash’ Amuneni. Bash opened the evening with a thunderous presentation that set the evening’s pace. There was surely going to be no dull moment. Su’eddie Agema author of the poetry collection Bring Our Casket Home: tales one shouldn’t tell’ did a short story smoothly. The story; engaging and vividly easy-to-connect piece was a great piece to listen to in a beautiful narrative he did.

PurpleSilver’s spoken word poet and rapper Orgem ‘Urge’ Abanyi did one his hiphop like presentations that bound all to their seats to see the end of the show by all means.

Urge has a unique way of delivery; we should have a video of his presentations online soon.

Bash came up again to give a thrill of spoken word, the popular ‘Don’t Ask Me Why’ but not before enticing everyone with ‘Isi-ewu’; a spoken-word product of experience.

Bash had about five presentations and each was both welcome and ones never to forget.

The final presentation for the evening was PurpleSilver’s rock artiste and Thirdlead band leader Robert Gar who presented two great songs.

Unwillingly it was ‘time to let go’; of the evening’s session like the title of one Robert’s songs that he did wonderfully on the guitar and we left to convene to a greater session marking the first in the year 2014 which would hold at the same venue on KM 3 Gboko Road, opposite BSU Teaching Hospital, Aper aku House at 4:30pm. Don’t miss this next!!