(L to R) Representative of the Ogun State HoS, Perm Sec., Min of Environment, Dr. Sam Oyeleye, Keynote Speaker, Olori Ameenat Adeleye Matemilola and Chairman, ANA, Ogun State Chapter, Dr. Chris Omotoso at the 2024 Annual Convention held on Saturday at Simeon Adebo Library, Abeokuta .
ABEOKUTA: Nigerian writers, especially those in Ogun State, have been advised to be dynamic, resourceful and creative to cope with the prevailing economic challenges buffeting the country.
The Wife of the Olowu of Owu, Olori Ameenat Adeleye Matemilola gave the advice while delivering a lecture on the theme “Survival Strategies for Writers in a Depressed Economy” at the 2024 Annual Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ogun State Chapter held on Saturday at the Simeon Adebo Library, Abeokuta.
Olori Matemilola, a member of Ogun ANA, educationist and distinguisged author, said writers should diversify their streams of income by leveraging on the digital revolution and its limitless possibilities to survive adding ” don’t Japa o!”.
She described writers as change agents and conscience of the society who should be at the vanguard of public enlightenment, promotion of good governance, justice and healthy living through the genres of poetry, drama, prose and essays.
She identified teaching, social commentary, ghost writings of autobiographies, e-books, mentoring, blogging, promotion of tourism, consultancy and volunteering as possible vocations that can enable writers keep poverty at bay.
Also speaking on the theme, the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Sam Oyeleye, charged writers to help fill the gaps in information dissemination of government activities to further enlighten citizens through targeted research and versatility.
Citing examples of musicians who appeal to people’s tastes in their productions, Dr. Oyeleye said writers should stop working in silos by leveraging on collaboration and partnerships to weather difficult times.
Two veteran authors, Chief Tunji Ogundimu, past Ogun ANA Chairman and retired lecturer and Pa Oladipo Yemitan, Baapitan of Owu Kingdom, were honoured with meritorious Awards at the Convention.
Welcoming guests earlier, the Ogun State Chairman of ANA, Dr. Chris Omotoso, described the theme as germane and urged writers to use the Convention to learn, unlearn and re-learn survival strategies.
Members unanimously adopted the Secretarial Report presented by the General Secretary, Mr. Femi Sanyaolu.
