Creative writing mirrors society, says DV-C Amali

The Association Nigerian Authors (ANA), Benue State Chapter, has honoured Professor Idris O.O Amali, for his outstanding commitment to the development of literature in the country.

The award ceremony took place recently at Bencedi Hall, in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.

While accepting the award, Prof. Amali, a professor of oral literature, advised Nigerians to develop their local literature, urging indigenous writers to be more creative.

He called on Nigeria writers to carry out research on contemporary matters “that are relevant to national development and peace,” advising that “such researches should be done in areas of culture and politics.”

Amali, who frowned at the poor reading attitude in the society, said: “It is unfortunate that many works of Nigerian authors were abandoned, their books are just left unread in the bookshelves.”

He, specifically, called on Nigerians to embark on reading literatures that are written by Nigerians, saying that Nigerian community should be curious to read what is written about the Nigerian nation in prose, poetry and biographies.

He gave an example of his recent publication, titled: “The Tears of Desert War,” which, he said, dealt with issue of the ‘war’ that is ravaging the country, saying that the book looked at the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of the approach of the Nigerian state to handle the situation.

He said that the book, also, captured the level of the devastating effects of the war on the economy of the North-eastern Nigeria, pointing out that, “all the destructions and truncations of economic lives, agricultural activities were documented.”

Amali stated that the honour given to him was a proof that the “community and the society is aware of what I’m doing,” adding that “there is no writer that would not want to be heard because the purpose of writing is to reach out to people so that you can tell and teach them something.”

Amali thanked the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, for sending Professor Okpeh Okpeh, the President of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), to represent him at the occasion, saying that “this showed that the vice-chancellor has interest in what his staff are doing to promote the institution he heads.”

In the same gesture, Amali thanked the ANA Benue Chapter chairman Mr Paul Ugah for the Association’s recognising of his role in the production and promotion of the Nigerian literature, adding that “this award is to further strengthen my resolve to partnership with the Association in its subsequent activities.”

In his remark, the vice-chancellor lauded the organisers of the event, saying that “recognising individuals who have contributed to the development of literature in the country will go a long way in promoting literature and reading culture in the society.”

He said that “it is my prayer that all the awardees will see the honour as yet a booster to do more in lifting the flag of the prestigious association (ANA) higher and promote literary activities as well.”

Those who were awarded along with Prof. Idris Amali, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of FULafia, included Dr Eunice Ortom, Wife of the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Ngunan Addingi, Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Benue State, Mrs. Espi Ushe-uba, Director-General, Radio Benue, and Prof. Moses Tsenogu, Head of English Department, Benue State University.

Others were Dr Raymond Anumve, Charles lornumbe, former Benue State ANA chairman, Harry Ogbu, Mallam Denja Abudullahi, the former national president of ANA, and Rev. Fr. David Pemba while the late Prof. Jerry Agada was honoured posthumously.