Nigerian Writers Series (NWS), an imprint of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has released three books in its Children’s Literature series. Th ese include ‘Th e Loyal Queen’ by Chinyere Obi-Obasi, ‘Oma the Drummer Queen’ by Salamatu Sule, and ‘Th e Golden Girl of Galma’ by Kabir Abdullahi. Th e association’s president, Malam Denja Abdullahi described the selection process as rigorous. “We want the books to get into the hands of primary school children, up to Junior Secondary School students. Coincidentally, those selected focus on the advancement of the girl-child,” he said.
Salamatu, author of ‘Oma the Drummer Queen’ said “I feel great, especially for the fact that it’s coming from the Nigerian Writers Series. It’s been long overdue.” In 2014, ANA published 10 books under the new NWS, but published by other publishing companies. Expectations were cut short when there was little promotion and marketing for the novels. Th is second phase of the series is published under NWS Publishers, an imprint of ANA, which would be responsible for the promotion and marketing of the books. “We hope that subsequently, the association would be engaged in this kind of publishing for our members nationwide, including other ANA materials,” the president said. It would be recalled that the call for submission for the second phase of the Serieswhich was earmarked for the children’s literature genre was announced on the 25th of May, 2016 with a deadline set for 15th July, 2016.
Th e deadline was later extended to 5th August,2016 . Th e Association also announced three Series Editors—Prof. Uwemedimo Enobong Iwoketok, Omowunmi Segun and Ikeogu Oke— after its National Executive Council meeting in February,2017. A total of thirteen (13) submissions were received after the expiration of the fi nal deadline. Following an exhaustive assessment of each manuscript received, it is the independent opinion of the Series Editors that the following manuscripts merit consideration for publication in the second phase of Nigerian Writers Series.
