The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has honoured Dr. John O. Asein, the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), with the ANA Patriot Award in appreciation of his enduring and proactive partnership with the Association.
Other long-standing benefactors of ANA conferred with the prestigious ANA Patriot Award were the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lafia, Prof. Idris Amali and Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN.
National President of ANA, Dr. Camillus Ukah conferred the award on the beneficiaries at the ANA 40th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Night at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja on Saturday, 6th November 2021.
Receiving the Award, Dr. Asein expressed appreciation to ANA for the recognition accorded him and the Commission and gave assurance of the Commission’s continued support for the growth of the creative Industry in the country. He commended ANA for the success of its 40th Anniversary.
ANA also conferred other categories of Awards on deserving personalities. Recipients of the ANA Icon Award for lifetime of service to literature were former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin and Amirul Musulumi of Idoma land, Prof. Shamsudeen Amali; Prof. Femi Osofisan; Chairman, Nigerian Advisory Prize for Literature, Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo; Mama Mabel Segun, Dr. Maria Ajima and Alhaji Labo Yari.
Newly inducted ANA Fellows were Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Prof. Joseph Ushie, Prof Sunny Ododo, Arch. Chukwudi Eze, Hajia Haafsat Abdulwaheed and Prof. Mabel Erioyunvwen.
Dignitaries from the literary community and other professional groups in attendance included: the occasion’s chairman, former Minister and former Board Member of NCC, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher; Emeritus Prof. Femi Osofisan; Director-General, National Theatre, Prof. Sunday Ododo; and Emeritus Prof. Adimora Akach.
Others were the Secretary-General, Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and former President of ANA, Dr. Wale Okediran; former ANA National President, Mallam Denja Abdullahi; Prof. Joseph Ushie; and former member of the Federal House of Representatives and Human rights activist, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha.
