By Ibrahim Ramalan
Niger state government has promised to support the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), to build its proposed Writers Village.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, made the promise during New Year celebration by ANA, tagged “Role of the Intellectuals under Change’’, in Minna.
Madugu said this would encourage young writers to exhibit their works and called on the association to also focus attention on female writers at the secondary school level.
According to her, the state government is ready to partner with any association that would bring change and development to the state.
Earlier, the Chairperson, Niger chapter of ANA, Mrs Farida Mohammad, called for a forum where talented and upcoming writers would interact and `pool intellectual currency, saying that the association had published books by young, talented writers with support from the past administration, and urged the present administration for continuous support.
Mohammed added that the association had a proposed site to build a writers village where young writers would be taught and groomed on poetry, prose and drama writing.
“We have a lot of books written by our members and up-coming writers, and students waiting to be published. Due to inadequate fund, we have not been able to publish these books, we need government’s assistance through grants to publish our works.’’
She also called for a library that will attract and catch the attention of those with talent in creativity, and interest to write without distraction.
She called for state government’s sponsorship of Annual Schools Carnival of Arts and Festival of Songs (ASCAFS) 2016 to showcase young talents in creative writing, drama, quiz, painting, cultural display, craft and photography.
