By Wale Okediran
The year 2016, was for me, a mixed bag of happy and sad emotions on the domestic, professional and political fronts.
However, by the grace of God, I had a very fulfilling artistic endeavour in 2016. Hopefully, this should be a very good spring board for 2017.
My art
Firstly, my peers, the Nigerian writers used the occasion of my birthday on April 14 2016 to mark the year’s Read Across Nigeria (RAN) event with readings all over the country. I was really humbled by the phenomenon show of love and support from both young and old Nigerian writers who trooped out to organise reading activities in about 30 states in the country.
In spite of the Recession, I was able to release two new books in 2016 (my 13th and 14th publications) The first was a Short Story Collection – Keepers Of The Tribe (Published by Nelson Publishers, Ibadan in August 2016) and a Biography of the Aseyin of Iseyin (Published by Ebedi Writers Residency, Iseyin in Dec 2016)
Also, at the November 2016 annual convention of the Association Of Nigerian Authors which took place in Abuja, I was honoured with the Association’s Fellowship award.
Again in November, The Flora Nwapa Foundation appointed me the Chairman of the National Organizing Committee of the EFURU@50 celebration. In this position with my fellow Committee members, I was in charge of organizing activities to mark the 50th anniversary Flora Nwapa’s book Efuru in Lagos, Maiduguri, Abuja, Enugu and Owerri.
In addition, after a long waiting period,the Bank Of Industry, Marina Lagos finally approved the fund for the production of the Film Adaptation of my 2012 award winning Novel, Tenants Of The House. With this, it is hoped that the fund will soon be released for the Film to be ready for the International and Nigerian markets before the end of 2017.
Finally, just before the year ran out, I got two commissions to write the Biographies of two eminent Nigerians ( one, a serving State Governor and the second, the oldest living Commissioned Nigerian Army Officer) for delivery in 2017.
The Ebedi residency
The Ebedi Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State continued to wax stronger in 2016, thanks to Gods grace and the support of the Board Members, Staff, Friends and Writers.
Despite the recession, we had our full attendance of 8 sets of writers (three writers per set) making a total of 24 writers for the year. Out of these, 4 were foreigners while the rest were Nigerians. As always, we provided free boarding, meals, medicals and incidentals to the writers who in return, gave of their time and expertise to mentor secondary school students in Iseyin town.
In February 2016, the Residency played host to an august visitor, the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka whose presence in the Residency and Iseyin town was a real boost to Literature and the Residency Program.
In July 2016, some Ugandan Writers who are former Ebedi Residents (Ebedi Fellows) invited me to the annual convention of the Ugandan Female Writers Association (FEMRITE) in Kampala, Uganda. The event was a big celebration of Literary cooperation and networking across the African Continent.
The second edition of Ebedi Review, a publication of the Residency was released in August 2016. The Review which received a lot of good reception is a much improved version of the first edition which was published in 2014.
Finally, in December 2016, another publication, Ten Years In The Service Of His People; The Biography of the Aseyin of Iseyin written by Wale Okediran was released under the auspices of the Residency.
Lessons learnt
We were able to achieve most of the above named ventures through a combination of the commitment of our dedicated staff, financial prudence as well as the support of well wishers, staff, family, friends and donor agencies.
In most cases, our friends and well wishers especially the Ebedi Board Members, Fellows and the EFURU@50 NOC and LOC members gave freely of their time and expertise.
In addition, because of our transparent track records in previously funded projects, some organizations and donor agencies still gave us some support even though very limited in nature as a consequence of the recession.
2017 in view
My belief is that 2017 will continue to be as challenging as 2016 in all fronts. In addition, there would still be a big reduction in financial support from the various arms of the Nigerian Governmental Agencies as well as International and Local Donor Agencies. To survive therefore, one will have to continue to be creative in executing new and viable projects while maintaining fiscal discipline in all kinds of artistic ventures. In addition, there will be the need to reduce to the barest minimum all forms of wastages and unnecessary luxuries while the spirits of patriotism, sacrifice and dedication should be imbibed.
For us at the Ebedi Residency, we are fully committed to running a full fledge program in 2017 that would involve both Nigerians and foreign writers.
Finally, regarding the much expected Film Adaptation of Tenants Of The House, we hope to adopt new innovations at combating the twin evils of Piracy and Poor Cinema Patronage already put in place by professional movie marketers among other innovations.
Gratis
Family, Friends, Journalists and Staff; Critics and Creditors; EFURU@50 NOC and LOC members. Cappello and the Diaspora Family; Uche and the BOI team, Denja and the ANA tribe; Khalid, Sanni, Ibrahim and the Kano mafia; Kofi, Nkem, Servio and the Ebedi gang. Special thanks to Prof WS, Dr Bukar Usman, Alhaji Tofa, Glory, Bode, Lawrence, Abimbola and other wayfarers…blessings. Wishing you all the best of 2017.
Okediran was a former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
