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Last Updated: Monday, November 1st, 2004 HOME | Previous Page Idris, Kogi governor, canvasses support for writers By Chux Ohai correspondent, Lagos   Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, governor of Kogi State, has called on the Federal Government to pay more than a perfunctory attention to development of a culture of literary excellence in the country. Speaking during the 23rd Annual International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in Lokoja, the state capital at the weekend, he noted that Nigerian writers have not been given a good deal by subsequent governments over the years. He appealed to the government to provide an enabling environment for the growth of Nigerian literature, stressing that since the writers represent the conscience of the entire nation, they ought to be given all the necessary support and encouragement they need to function well in the society. “It is sad that writers in Nigeria are no longer accorded their deserved recognition. This, perhaps, explains why our first and second-generation writers were able to churn out high quality works. The enabling environment was simply there for them. Sadly, this is no longer the case” he said. Other highlights of the event, the biggest literary fiesta in Africa, which brought Nigerian writers from across the 36 states of the federation and the Diaspora together last weekend, include the donation of an additional N2 Million to the coffers of the writers’ body by Idris, as part of his administration’s effort to support the arts and culture sector, the award of literary prizes in various categories to deserving authors, as well as the introduction of a new prize for short story writing by Otunba Yinka Lawal-Solarin, Chairman of the Nigeria International Book Fair Trust and Literamed Publications Limited. The prize called Lantern Prize for Short Writing and valued at N100, 000, further adds to the swelling pool of literary prizes in the country. Professor Dan Izevbaye delivered the keynote address at the convention.   Copyright� 2004. All Rights Reserved. Independent Newspapers Limited Block5, Plot 7D, Wempco Road, Ogba, P.M.B. 21777, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. www.independentng.com e-mail: [email protected] Designed By Powered By DNet.

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