The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his posthumous pardon of ANA’s past leader, the late Maj-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, a distinguished poet.
ANA said the President’s gesture demonstrated his commitment to healing the wounds of the past while promoting the cause of arts and literature in Nigeria.
In a press release signed by its President and General Secretary, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi and Dr Joan Oji respectively, the association acknowledged General Vatsa’s significant contribution to Nigerian literature and his legacy, particularly in allocating the land for the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village in Abuja.
“We appreciate President Tinubu’s leadership and support for Nigerian creatives,” it said.
ANA added: “It is essential to note, however, that this presidential pardon does not detract from the late General Vatsa’s denial of guilt of the coup plot charges against him, a stand the Association also acquiesces to.
“We firmly believe that his trial and subsequent execution were borne out of deliberate malice, orchestrated by a perceived close associate who betrayed his trust. This pardon, thus, serves as a vindication of his not guilty plea and a testament to his innocence.
“In the true spirit of genuine government restitution, we hereby humbly request that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces should go further by directing that all the rights, privileges, and entitlements due to Major-General Vatsa be paid to his family as a form of compensation and closure of their deepest grief.
“This gesture will not only serve as a testament to Mr President’s commitment to justice and fairness but will also immortalise the legacy of this distinguished Poet and a historic ANA benefactor.
“On behalf of our Board of Trustees, College of Fellows, National Executive Council, and entire ANA membership, especially from our Niger State chapter, we express our profound appreciation to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for finally wiping the tears of the Mamman Vatsa family by this posthumous pardon.”
