MBA INTERNATIONAL LITERARY COLLOQUIUM: THE PREMIER LITERARY DISCOURSE PLATFORM IN AFRICA

By

Isyaku Bala Ibrahim

The MBA International colloquium is one of the most important literary events in Nigeria. It started four years ago from the beautiful city of Minna to mark the birthday of the Chief Servant, the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (MBA), CON, Talban Minna. It is a three-day literary fiesta that engages writers around the world into brainstorming sessions in all aspects of literature and arts. This year’s edition, “the 4th” specifically has a central theme, “Leadership and National Development, & Post Centenary Nigeria: New Literatures, New Leaders and New Nation,” took place from November 10th to 12th, 2014.

Chinyere Obi Obase at the 'Night of Performance'

Khadijah Abdulkadir's play 'Life's Lips' at the Night

Scene of the Play

Terfa Danjuma performing 'Rusted Dreams'

10th November 2014 was the official arrival day of the participants. Niger State Book & Other Intellectual Resource Development Agency, the convener of the literary fête and in its line-up programmes, an event was fixed to welcome and entertain the arrived delegates tagged, ‘The Night of Performances.’ This Night kick started the annual programme as delegates had gathered at the hall of the Agency in Minna city waiting to be thrilled by what that night promised to offer.

Terfa Danjuma, the anchor of the night’s event invited to the floor students of GSS Minna who sang the National Anthem in Unisom. The participants stood on their feet as the rendering of the anthem continued. The spirits of the delegates were raised as the hall got charged. Then the moderator, a renowned performance poet himself gave a short piece titled, ‘Niger Regalia,’ passing a message of an insignia that has overwhelmed the literary space in the country.

Chinyere Obi Obasi, ANA National’s Financial Secretary read out a touching piece written by her late relation. As she ran through the lines, the faces of the audience look sober and as they mourned together with her - their ears dared for more. Then she was done and the ovation led her to her sit looking happy and fulfilled, and her smiles greeted the audience with an appreciation.

The next poet, Saddiq Dzukogi was invited to the floor and led the audience through his ‘Song of horror,’ as the verses sleet into hundreds of ear-drums in the hall, and its horror tormenting their consciences, and before they realized, they were already victims of the terror his chanted lines brilliantly revealed.

Before a play performance of the day, there were renditions - which led the audience through the Achebe’s published works which was beautifully rendered by another poet. Then, Jimoh Muideen Olawale gave a nice one in memory of his brother whom he lost in 1993.

A play by Khadijah Abdulkadir with Nupe traditional setting titled ‘Life’s Lips’ was next. The act thrilled the audience who were plagued by new-fangled Nupe proverbs. Then ‘Rusted dreams’ was exquisite poetry performance by Terfa Danjuma again. It drew the lenses of the audience to him and his ten minutes beautiful maiden he picked from the audience; whether pre-arranged or not, it was wonderful as he succeeded in taking us through a journey of love - with him, Romeo and her, Juliet.

Then Unique Dancers cheered the audience with performance which was immediately followed lastly by a video clip titled ‘Sorrow Tides’ reminding us of the carnages bedeviling our nation today with emphasis on insecurity caused by Boko-haram and other terror groups. The clip drew the curtains of the night’s event. The night gave an upshot of what to expect in the next two days.

11TH NOVEMBER 2014 (PRE-COLLOQUIUM LECTURE)

The program started far beyond schedule, what was slated for 11.00am actually took off some minutes pass 1.00pm. It revealed a level of nonchalance on the part of stakeholders, as the big hall was almost empty. Though, as expected, the participants from within and around were all seated with students. But the senior civil servants, political office holders shifted the time to their usual - two more hours as they took advantage of the delay from the arrival of the keynote speaker of the day’s event who was expected from Canada.

At last the lecture took off, and on the high table, there were the ANA President, represented by its vice, Malam Denja Abdullahi, Prof. Onuma Azuah from USA, Chiedu Ezeanah from Abuja, Ismaila Garba from Bayero University Kano, the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Hamidu Abdullahi Kadi-Kuta, mni, who is the Head of Service of Niger State, and the keynote speaker, Prof. Pius Adesanmi were all seated.

The colloquium facilitator, Prof. Muhammad Kuta Yahaya who was ably represented by the Chief Organizer, BM Dzukogi gave brief history of the colloquium, starting from the time of conceiving the idea in 2011 to the successful hosting the first two events: the 1st and 2nd national literary colloquium with keynote speakers - poet Odia Ofeimun, and a Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka respectively. He added that from 2013, it became an International Literary Colloquium with the invitation of two renowned Ghanaian professors: Kofi Anyindoho of University of Ghana and Atukwei Okhai of Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), and the current one with the presence of international academics and leaders from Mozambique, USA and Canada.

From left: Ahmed Maiwada, Richard Ali and BM Dzukogi at the Pre-Colloquium lecture

Richard Ali and Awwalu Sakiwa

the high table from left : Prof. Onomah Azuah, Prof. Pius Adesanmi 

and the Hamidu Kadi Kuta

Welcoming the Keynote Speaker, prof. Pius Adesanmi and Prof. Azuah to the International Hall

BM Dzukogi Delivering his address at the venue.

When the keynote Speaker, Pius Adesanmi, the Carleton University Professor, Canada mounted the podium, the pains of the delays in commencement melted away faster than expected as his presentation was attention-grabbing. He began with praises for the conveners of the literary event and their consistency which he pointed was among three most important literary events in the country. He went further to mentioned other literary events in the country: the one organized in Port-Harcourt every year, and another one in Ibadan.

He delivered his paper with the title, “Post Centenary Nigeria: New Literatures, New Leaders and New Nation.” He dissected it into parts – first he agreed on the “new literatures,” pointing out that, “Now, the adjective, new, has been used to qualify three nouns in our topic but we can only confidently bear witness to the truthfulness of one as far as Nigeria is concerned. New literatures? That is true, very much true in this country. New leaders? That’s a lie for we do not even have old leaders let alone new ones. New nation? That also is a lie for we are more remarkable for our violations of every definition of nationhood than for a will to the emergence of a nation, new or old. These, of course, are contentious considerations that we shall return to in due course.”

He said literature has developed in phases in the country: the first phase had people like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo, Peter John Clark etc. then mentioned that the second phase which he belongs has been treated unfairly by the literary historians and critics as if they do not exist or never existed, he stressed.

On the “new leaders” and “new nation,” he pointed out he wasn’t sure if actually we have new leaders who have change course from the experiences of the past. The leaders have been more corrupt than their predecessors in the past. The nation has been progressing retrogressively, he maintained.

12TH NOVEMBER 2014 (COLLOQUIUM DAY LECTURE)

The event started with a welcome speech by Prof. Muhammad Kuta Yahaya, now Commissioner of Agriculture of Niger State of Nigeria who was the facilitator and head of the technical team of the colloquium. He appreciated the presence of the keynote speaker, the former Mozambique president, Sir Joaquim Alberto Chissano, and other international and national guests for making the state and the nation proud. He further thanked his boss, the Chief Servant for making this possible all these years. On the journey so far, he explained that it started with giving meaning and style to Chief Servant’s birthday celebration which culminated into the birth of an MBA International Literary Colloquium. He further stressed that today it has became a platform where writers and academics, leaders and artists meet and share ideas toward national and African’s growth & development. 

Chairman of the Day’s lecture, Professor Pius Adesanmi, who stood in place of Professor Ibrahim Gambari who was unavoidably absent; in his remarks dwelled much on the important of the event and stating that from the part of the world he and Onuma Azuah were coming from needed concrete reason before they were given pass to attend event like this. He added that their employers would have to consult ‘’the great oracle - Google” who probably furnished them with facts that legitimize their quests to be in Minna. He then called on the organizers/conveners to ensure the sustainability of this ‘great literary event.’

The keynote speaker, Sir Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former president of Mozambique whose paper centred on the theme, “Leadership and National Development, & Post Centenary Nigeria: New Literatures, New Leaders and New Nation.” He began by expressing his appreciation to the government and good people of Niger State for inviting him into the state. He stated that what he has seen along the road through to the state capital shows that Niger State is rich with natural resources and good vegetation cover. The Mo Ibrahim award winning leader continued after wishing the Chief Servant happy birthday in mother language of “Tsonga,” that he will only dwell on “Leadership and the National Development,” as it affects Nigeria and the African Continent; stressing further that he is not into writing, he should be pardoned on the other part of the theme. He major points were that leaders should not promise what they cannot provide, and they should lead by example, they should be accountable to their people to get the much desired development.

The lead discussant, Prof. Onomah Azuah commented on the timeliness of the paper and how the speaker succeeded in passing the message that leaders should be transparent and accountable to their people, and what leadership can bring to a society with him as a shining example. Another discussant and the Editor-in-Chief of Newsday, Malam Sumaila Umaisha queried that the speaker did not touch much on the problem of corruption which according to him was what has held this country backward which most of our leaders including the democratic ones are guilty of. He was also full of praises for the former Mozambique leader for his exemplary leadership in Africa.   

From Left: Ismaila Garba, a participant, Khalid Imam and a participant

Denja Abudullahi, ANA Vice - President in the centre at the Venue

From Right: Dr. Mu'azu Babagida Aliyu, the Governor signing the Bill that establishes the Book Agency at the venue

set of books presented at the lauch of Nigerian Writers' Series at the venue

Two significant and symbolic achievements were recorded during the day’s event. In the spirit of reviving the former “African Writers Series” of the 50s and 70s which ushered very early the likes of Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi, Ngugi into literary fame, the “Nigerian Writers Series” was presented with ten published works of writers sponsored by the Chief Servant’s administration. While making the presentation of the books published by the Niger State Government under the collaboration and supervision of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), its Vice President, Denja Abdullahi introduced the books and the writers to the governor after which the presentation was made to the public by the Governor on behalf of the ten new authors who were all in attendance.  

The second achievement recorded was the accenting to the law a Bill that establishes the Niger State Book & Other Intellectual Resource Agency by the Chief Servant after it was presented to him by the Speaker and other members of the Niger State House of Assembly present in the hall. This is one of the enduring legacies of the Chief Servant’s administration aimed at building the Intellectual capacity of Nigerlites and Nigerians through literature and arts thereby galvanizing the development of the state in particular and the nation in general. This is also in the spirit of breeding more Abubakar Imams, Major-General Mamman Vatsas, Abubakar Gimbas, Yahaya Danganas, Cyprian Ekwensis, BM Dzukogis, Abdullahi Ismailas etc whom are all literary icons from the state.

The Royal Father of the Day, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR gave his fatherly address on the event which he described as the gathering of men of the pens, and the leaders forming a fruitful front for the development of the state and the country through literature. He was represented by Etsu Agaie (Ganye), Alhaji Nuhu Yusuf. Other royal fathers who graced the occasion were the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umaru Farouk Bahago, CON and Etsu Lapai, Alhaji Bago Tafida, CON.

Amu Nnadi at the Parley

Maryam at the Parley

Saddiq Dzkogi at the Evening Parley

Also present at the event were writers like: Ahmed Maiwada (poet, Legal Practitioner), Kamar Hamza (Editor-in-chief, Political Platform magazine), Abdullahi Ismaila (Lecturer, IBB University), Almamun Malam, Richard Ali, Baba Akote, Aminu Sheikh Muhammad, Khalid Imam from Kano, Muhib Aslu, Abubakar (Daily Trust), Evelyn Osagie (Nation newspaper),  Adewale Oshodi (Nigerian Tribune), Henry Akubuiro (Daily Sun newspaper), Sadisu Mohammad (Nupe film actor, director and lecturer, IBB University), etc.

However, the dark horses of the day operating from the shadows at this intellectually engaging event came sadly from the Chief Servant’s security aids who found joy in terrorizing writers at the event. They simply refused to learn from the scholarly activities going on. I was personally confronted with this silly question, “why are you moving around taking pictures of the Chief Servant?” by one of them who trailed me to my seat. Though, I refused to be intimidated by their quackery. I wondered when does a camera becomes a gun, or flashes from its shots turned into bullets. Not done yet, at the presentation of the Nigerian Book Series, another fake security aid of the Governor threw pouches of his emptiness at me, “who are you?” a writer taking pictures, I replied. I went back to my seat and shared my experience with other writers who equally had their own share of this low-leveled security aids. I was ashamed most especially that it was the security aids of my governor in my own state. So, I left the hall and the Chief Servant for them, because I will not want to be illicitly brutalized by their inexperienced frolics.

In the evening of that day, at exactly 4.35pm at the serene environment of the Book Agency, delegates gathered with rare privilege to hear writers read from their recent works. After brief introduction by each delegates present at the semi-formal evening parley, the first writer and a poet was invited, Saddiq Dzukogi read five poems from his recent collection, “Sunbeams and Shadows.” This was followed by Amu Nnadi, who rendered some love poems from his recent poetry work to the admiration of the audience. Then, it was BM Nagidi’s turn and he read out three poems from his works, “Slaying the Warefarer.” Then, there was a shift from that genre to fictional stories with Maryam Shaibu who read from her novella, “Bongel.” It was followed by Halima Aliyu, who read a story from her collection of short stories. Alas, the twilight huddle cut short that fruitful and genial evening interaction and we dispersed to the Agency’s hall for the evening dinner.

The 4th literary colloquium closed after a dinner in honour of the delegates at the Book Agency. It was a special evening of eating and drinking. And by 10.00pm the delegates could not exhaust what the chefs lined-up for them.

Conclusively, aside the delays of the pre-colloquium lecture and the unwelcomed attitudes of the security aids towards writers, the event was adjudged the best colloquium ever. It has become the literary event in Africa that assembles the best literati around the world. They were invited, and they came and brainstormed, and dispatched with the message that literature has the capacity to change and shape leaders, and a continent in dare need of genuine growth and development.