Kema Chikwe, former Nigerian Minister of Aviation, has urged Nigerian authors to use their creative prowess to drive positive change in communities in order to build a prosperous and egalitarian nation.
Chikwe made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday at the sideline of the January edition of the monthly “Reading/Writers Dialogue” in Abuja.
The “Reading/Writers Dialogue” is a flagship initiative of the Abuja chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) which assembles writers and literary enthusiasts, and then discuss the works of a selected Guest Writer.
Chikwe, also a prolific writer, appeared as the guest for January edition of the dialogue, with the theme, “The Writer as a Catalyst for Progressive Change.”
According to the one-time Nigerian ambassador to Ireland, history holds writers as torch bearers of change, daring to challenge the status quo, advocate for justice and inspire actions towards positive change.
She therefore urged writers to be voices to the marginalised, oppressed and the unforgotten, paint vivid pictures of the realities faced in society and offer solutions that promote unity, peace and justice.
“It is popularly known that literature is a mirror of society, so for every era, there is always a pressing issue to be written about.
“The era of Chinua Achebe and others is gone, but I think that right now, writers should intensify writing on political issues, and use satires if need be because sometimes people are afraid.
“I think writers should start writing a lot about our political system, about insecurity, and corruption in society, and all that will go a long way in achieving positive change.
“I’m not sure that a lot is being done to influence society now, and there should be a deliberate program for writers to converge and be intuitive about what is happening in Nigeria.
“The writers community should come together and orchestrate creative works, creative writing, if we do that, it’s going to influence the society, ”she said.
Chikwe commended ANA FCT chapter, especially for championing initiatives that inspires young Nigerians to become writers.
She therefore called on stakeholders to provide platforms to discover young talents in order to bridge existing gaps in the literary landscape, as young and courageous writers are raised.
She noted that writers across the world have stood at the forefront of revolutions- be it through literature, poetry, or prose, pushing boundaries and igniting thought and reflection among readers.
“The idea is dynamism, to create a change, to cause a change in a sustainable manner for the betterment of society.
“I think writers should begin to think about books that will cause a general revolution, a general change, even if is one aspect of life, especially in corruption,” she said.
Earlier in his speech, Chukwudi Eze, Chairman ANA Abuja, said the Reading/Writing Dialogue was part of the association’s efforts towards championing narratives that will usher in a new Nigeria.
“We felt that charity begins at home and as such, the topic for this January, because there is need to open the pathways in the area we want to move ourselves as a people..
“So today we examine what is the role of the writer in terms of forging and shaping progressive change, and we couldn’t have had a better candidate than Ambassador (Dr) Kema Chikwe.
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“She has been a radical a writer, a politician, a mother, and a grandmother who is highly exposed and highly experienced.
“At a time when, as a nation, we need to be able to move forward on all fronts, empirically, in a way that can be measured, how do we as writers influence our space.
“We hope that by orchestrating this type of gathering, we are able to contribute somehow towards the positive evolution of the Nigerian nation,” he said.
NAN reports that highpoint of the event was a discussion panel which featured literary icons, Prof Vicky Sylvester,Prof Anthony Oha and Prof.Tunde Olusunle.
The panel succinctly examined the role of writers as ‘Catalysts for Progressive Change’ in nation building.
Other activities for the day included spoken word , poetry and other presentations by students, and the presentation of awards. (NAN)
