The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) rejoices with one of its past presidents, Dr. Wale Okediran, a literary luminary, on his seventieth birthday.
Honourable Dr. Okediran’s contributions to ANA and the literary world are invaluable. He played a key role in bringing the World Organisation of Writers’ first Congress to Abuja, which showcased the ultramodern Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village Abuja to the world as the first of its kind. He equally facilitated the Prof Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN Literary Awareness Campaign, an initiative that commenced during his tenure as ANA President and has been sustained since then. Dr Okediran, as the Secretary- General of Pan African Writers Association, brought the PAWA Congress to Nigeria. He also used his PAWA influence to bring the Nigeria Country Representative of UNESCO to the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village.
As an elected Member of the Nigerian National Assembly, precisely the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, Honourable Dr. Wale Okediran leveraged his position to advocate for healthcare improvements across Nigeria. His experiences during this tenure inspired his acclaimed novel, “Tenants of the House”, a fictional portrayal of the Nigerian Parliament. He was part of the Forum for Democracy and Good Governance, a group dedicated to advancing people-oriented policies in Parliament.
Dr. Okediran’s commitment to community development extends beyond politics. As the founder of the Ebedi International Writers’ Residency in 2010, he has continued to provide a platform for creative writers to focus on their craft, hone their writing skills, and build a community of literary excellence. He also convenes the Read Across Nigeria (RAN) project, promoting reading culture nationwide.
As a past President of ANA and the current Secretary-General of PAWA, Dr. Okediran continues to shape the literary landscape. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in fostering literary excellence across Africa. He is a prolific author known for works like “The Menace”, “Shades of Corruption”, “Dreams Die at Twilight”, and “After the Flood”. His writing style blends social commentary, vivid narrative, and cultural and historical themes, using humour and satire to add complexity.
We at ANA celebrate our own Dr. Wale Okediran’s achievements as a writer, a medical doctor, and thought leader. His legacy are enormous, well beyond his writing, with initiatives that have nurtured young writers and promoted literary excellence.
We wish him many more decades of good health, happiness, and abundant prosperity.
Congratulations, sir!
Signed.
Usman Oladipo Akanbi, PhD, FANA President, Association of Nigerian Authors
Dame Joan Oji, PhD.
General Secretary
