A former National Legal Adviser of the Association of Nigerian Author (ANA), Ahmed Maiwada, has declared his intention to contest for the exalted seat of the presidency of the association during the forthcoming national convention of the association which will take place in Enugu state.
Maiwada, who is a poet, novelist, short story writer, essayist and playwright, made the declaration during a stage performance of his forthcoming play titled ‘Seema’, as well as a special reading session organised by ANA Abuja in his honour recently.
According to him, the need to restore the lost glory and goodwill of the association, dwindling membership and a land belonging to the association at Mpape, Abuja formed the basis for his aspiration to steer the affairs of the association.
He said: “It is the sad truth that we have lost not only part of our land, but our young and not so young members as well, and we need to do something about it with all the urgency we could afford!
“The litany of losses suffered by our dear association does not end with only land and members. ANA has lost a huge chunk of the goodwill that our founding fathers have handed down to us since 1983.”
Continuing, Maiwada said: I have watched this litany of losses over the past years in utter helplessness, lacking the power to stem the tide. I know that what has been done has been done and some of those things may never be redeemed.
“However, I am positive that many of those deficit situations could be reversed, given the right people in position to exercise authority on behalf of our dear association.
“As for the future, I am very positive that, with a change at the helm of our affairs of personnel from the current ones whose style is either careless or lacking in clues as to what is amiss and what is to be done to put it right, ANA’s lost land, lost membership and lost image would definitely be restored.”
Speaking on his leadership abilities which he had garnered over the years, Maiwada said: “I served as a member of the Land Committee chaired by Nnimmo Bassey, Odia Ofeimun and Wale Okediran, elected twice into that Committee in absentia!
“Therefore, it is inconceivable that I, for any reason or no-reason, I should betray the trust and responsibility vested upon me by my dear association; it is also inconceivable that I should compromise that trust or become a sitting-duck, for any reason or no-reason, at this critical juncture in the history of ANA when a foundation for transparency, accountability and equitable sharing of resources from the land shall become due,” he promised.
, Ahmed Maiwada, has declared his intention to contest for the exalted seat of the presidency of the association during the forthcoming national convention of the association which will take place in Enugu state.){kind=link}