Anambra Young Writers Visit National Light Newspaper, Seek Partnership —

By Izunna Okafor

It was indeed a moment of ratiocination yesterday as a team the young writers in Anambra state, under the umbrella of Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) visited the longest-thriving state-owned Newspaper in Nigeria — the Anambra Newspaper and Printing
Corporation, the publishers of the National Light Newspaper (wwwinationallightngr.com), Ka Ọ Dị Taa (www.kaoditaa.com) and the Spotlight Extra.
The courtesy visit which took place at the Corporation’s complex Awka Anambra state had the presence of some staff of the corporation who came to bid welcome.
According to the leader of the team, Comrade Izunna Okafor who is also the Anambra State Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, the aim of the visit was to inform the corporation of society’s forthcoming literary event, as well as seek their highly valued partnership in hosting it with the targeted standard of success. The event, according to him, being in its third edition, is an annual literary festival held in memory of Late. Prof. Chinua Achebe, in remembrance and celebration of his immense contributions and legacies in the literary field of life. He said the event, will feature lectures in memory of Achebe,
dramatizing of Achebe’s selected books, recitation/presentation of poems and other literary works written in the memory of Achebe, essay writing competition based on Achebe’s works and life (for all participating schools), open microphone, spoken word poetry, unveiling and launching of the third Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, dancing, entertainment and other literary packages slated for the day.
“This year’s edition will be preceeded by a creative writing workshop which will hold on the 15th of November while the main literary festival will hold on 16th November, all at the Anambra State Central E-Library Awka; each starting by 10.am” Izunna added.

Responding, the MD/Editor-in-Chief of the cooperation, Sir Chuka Nnabuife who himself is a published author and crackerjack in the field of creative writing lauded the efforts of the young writers who he said were paving their own ways to greatness, by initiating and hosting such a great event in memory of such a great man as Achebe, and more importantly by coming together as young writers under such an
umbrella to pursue their writing career.
He rued the fact that we are in a part of the world where people place priority on materialism, and where people who make it
materially are venerated and celebrated more than those make it intellectually, thus registering his regret that even up till now,
Achebe who died since 21st March 2013 has not been immortalized anywhere in Nigeria, not has any single monument to his name.
Sir Chuka further pledged his consummate support and the partnership of the corporation with the young writers, even as he promised to subsidize the cost of publishing their proposed “Third Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology” for them by 50% if they would want to publish
it with the corporation before the collapse of the year.
In a vote of thanks, the editor of the corporation, Mrs. Rose Oranye applauded the visit and the initiative of the young writers, eulogized their efforts so far in hosting the event annually since 2016, even as she charged them to remain focus, courageous and committed in what they are doing.
The visit was savoured by a presentation of a novel titled “The Mother’s Heart Bleeds” to the MD/Editor-in-Chief of the corporation,
Sir Chuka Nnabuife by the author Mrs. Juliet Chudie, who was one of the team, and which was also reciprocated by the MD as he ‘bid’ her one of his most recent published collections, and further dosed out some copies of the National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taz (an Igbo language Newspaper) and Sportslight Extra to the members of the team. Other members of the team who were courtesy visit were Comrade John Ifeanyi Nwokeabia and Comrade Chidimma Anwusi.