Birthday Galore As KK Shaw Ambush Ana President At Mbari

 

BIRTHDAY GALORE AS KK SHAW AMBUSH ANA PRESIDENT AT MBARI

 

By Maik Ortserga 

 

The July Edition of the Mbari series took an out-of-the-way dimension when, close to the end of the event, the ebullient developer of ANA land, Colonel Kolawole Kayode Shaw, stormed the conference board room, venue of the Mbari series, bearing a mountainous birthday cake and enough assortment of wines to make  a connoisseur of liquor lost in the labyrinth of booze. The size of the cake reminded me of the mountainous  food referred to in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, where kinsmen who ate at the alternate side could not see their neighbours at the other side until half  the food was eaten. The fanfare was to celebrate the 60th birthday of ANA president Mr Camillus Ukah.

 

Before this well-received intervention, the July edition of Mbari had gone on smoothly under the grand moderating finesse of Professor Emmanuel Dandaura. ANA president Camillus Ukah clanked opened the event with a brief welcome speech before handing over the mic to the host, erudite Professor Udenta Udenta,who brilliantly provoked discussion on the topic “Effective Use of Language in Communication.” He reckoned that the topic was rather  broad and should be reduced to“Effective Use of Language in literary Communication,”since the participants are mostly aspiring writers. He attempted a delineation of the language of literary communication, providing copious examples from the classics to the admiration of the participants. He ended that “the language of literary communication is the kind of language that soars, ennobles, elevates the spirit and uplifts the soul.

 

In her presentation, the lead discussant, the jolly, good-looking Prof. Joy Eyisi thrilled the participants with her presentation in which she disclosed that writers/speakers must understand the capacity of words to move hearts, that is to say words can heal and can also destroy. She also revealed how effective communication demands that basic issues like  correctness,brevity, conciseness, compassion must be clarified and that speakers/writers must always confirm who their audience are to ensure the appropriateness of the use of language.

 

The second discussant, Prof. Francis Egbokhare, who refused to be intimidated by poor network to connect on zoom, presented directly through a phone call. With  the aid of a slide presentation which he sent ahead of the event and which was facilitated by the moderating Professor Dandaura, it was easy for participants to identify what effective use of language entails. The presentation cautioned against  bombastic use of language as in the case of Patrick Obahiagbon and encouraged writers to aim at simple, concise and clear usage  that will make sense to their target audience.

 

There were several reactions from members of the audience including Alternate Chairman, C.P Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu,  Prof. Razinat Mohammed, Dr Lois Otse Adams, ANA Abuja Vice Chairman, ARA Aderinoye, Ms Olaitan, Vinepaul Chimnemezu Nwaeze, university of Abuja students among others.

 

It was time for the Chairman, Professor Nuhu Yaqup  to close the event when  the atmospheric disruption caused by Colonel Kolawole Kayode Shaw took place, stealing the show in an ambush that was tactically organized with military preciseness, without the knowledge of the celebrant, whose 60th birthday was celebrated six days ago in far away Owerri, Imo State . 

 

In an emotion loaded speech, the president thanked the developer for having faith in him and for all the support he has provided to ANA during his leadership. On his part,Colonel Kolawole Kayode Shaw described  Camillus Ukah as a man with passion for development and prayed that the almighty God should grant him many years ahead. 

 

There was a toast by the FCT chapter Chairman Arch. Chukwudi Eze, who was also moved by the spirit of the moment to announced the ANA-Abuja/ Camillus Ukah Prize for Literature. The celebration galore continued into ANA Abuja July readings where the audience was held in admiration by a roll call of performers of literary pieces.

 

Back in his office, the president was surprised with yet another presentation of a beautiful birthday cake by students of the English Department, University of Abuja who appreciated him  for creating opportunities for aspiring writers to participate fully in literary activities at the Mamman Vatsa Writers Village.

 

As  the sun took a graceful dive beneath the Mpape hills, the participants staggered home carrying the weight of wine and assortment  of refreshment in their bellies, the glaring proof of a day well spent.