In the verdant city of Ibadan, Nigeria, a most singular cultural institution was founded in 1961, bearing the name Mbari, an Igbo term denoting “creation”. Conceived by the visionary triumvirate of Ulli Beier, Wole Soyinka, and Chinua Achebe, Mbari served as a veritable crucible for nascent Nigerian artists, writers, and musicians, providing a platform for the showcasing of their works and the fostering of creativity.
The Association of Nigerian Authors, founded under the esteemed leadership of Professor Chinua Achebe on 27th June, 1981, subsequently, decades later, under the visionary leadership of its immediate past president, Camillus Ukah, recognised the imperative need to revive the spirit of Mbari, adapting its concept to suit the exigencies of contemporary Nigerian writers.
This vision was shared with numerous thought leaders and intellectuals, one of whom generously volunteered to host the meetings, which he singularly funded over the last three years and has continued to host even now, as they are convened quarterly. That distinguished host is none other than the erudite Professor Udenta O. Udenta.
A new chapter was thus born in the Mbari rebirth.
Presently, Mbari quarterly has evolved into a very engaging and well attended discourse forum, convened at the ultra scenic Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village in Mpape, Abuja, ANA’s corporate headquarters in the nation’s capital.
This intellectual salon provides a most convivial space for Nigerian writers and intellectuals to converge, exchange ideas, and promote their literary and other creative endeavours, thereby aligning itself with the original Mbari’s mission of fostering creativity, inclusivity, and innovation.
The June edition of the ANA Mbari Series, held last weekend with the theme, “Mbari Through the Eyes of the Founding Fathers”, was showcased to great acclaim. The discourse with hybrid participation, thanks to live-streaming and Zoom conferencing by BoldScholar, was a resounding success, with thought-provoking discussions and insightful reflections, chaired by Law Professor Kyuka Lilymjok.
The lead discussant, Ugeju J. Ugeju, did justice to the theme, drawing from his Nollywood background to declare that there wouldn’t be Nollywood without creative writers. Under the Association of Nigerian Authors, the re-enacted Mbari embodies a steadfast commitment to honouring its legacy while advancing Nigerian literature.
The association’s profound gratitude goes to the panelists who contributed to the different dimensions of the topic at this second quarter edition: 83-year-old Mr Lindsay Barrett, Prof Tony Oha (via Zoom), Dr. Mrs. Adewumi Oluwadiya, Malam Khalid Imam, and our esteemed penultimate ANA President, Malam Denja Abdullahi, who served as co-moderator of the discourse with Dame Joan Oji, ANA’s General Secretary.
Malam Khalid Imam also made remarkable contributions about Mbari’s predecessors in Hausa writing dating back decades before the founding of the Mbari Club in Ibadan.
The discussion was also enriched by the participation of several notable writers, including students from the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University), whose sporadic interventions added to the intellectual fervour of the occasion.
A Most Gracious Gesture
In a display of munificence, the Distinguished Senator Shehu Sani, who also attended the June 28th Mbari meeting, was moved by the richness of the discussion to pledge an annual donation of $1,000 towards the organisation of a visual art exhibition at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village with the purpose of selecting the best for a prize as determined by a panel of judges appointed by ANA.
This most welcome initiative will serve to complement the creative writing endeavours, thereby aligning itself with the vision of the earlier Mbari Club, which fostered collaborations between Nigerian and international artists. The art painting exhibition will provide a most excellent platform for artists to showcase their works, further enriching the creative ecosystem.
A Legacy Reborn
The revival of the Mbari spirit is a most significant development in the promotion of Nigerian art, literature, and music, both locally and internationally.
By providing a platform for emerging and established writers to share their works, Mbari is cultivating public intellectuals who employ creative writing as a tool for social engagement and critical thinking.
As Mbari continues to evolve, it is poised to make a most lasting impact on the literary landscape of Nigeria and beyond.
A New Era of Literary Innovation
With its quarterly discussion forum and upcoming visual art exhibitions, Mbari is set to become a leading literary platform in Nigeria. By fostering a community of writers who drive literary innovation and social engagement, the quarterly gathering of academics, intellectuals, and thought leaders who can engage with social issues and promote critical thinking and reflection.
As the ANA continues to nurture this initiative, it is clear that the spirit which gave birth to Mbari Club will continue to live to inspire new generations of Nigerian writers and artists.
* Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi and Dr. Dame Joan Oji, are the President and General Secretary of ANA respectively
