[Salutation... protocol]
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 41" Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). This gathering is an august one that is built on years of hard work and resilience. Generations of our writers have toiled to give us the respectability that our Association presently enjoys. We owe eternal debt to the men and women who have made enormous sacrifices across the country to place block upon block and to make us proud members of Africa's largest and most productive literary tradition.
'This year's convention is a celebration because, as the inimitable China Achebe has said, African literature is a celebration. We are here to celebrate our creativity; we are here to honour the industry and goodwill we have received from our fellow country men and women. When our Association started its ANA Fellowship, we understood the need to acknowledge the commitment that has
brought us this far.
I feel honoured to present this year's Fellows and to induct them to dignity and service. As we carefully and dutifully build our College of Fellows, let us note that our Fellows are a constellation
of stars. They are men and women of integrity and creative excellence. It is our prayer that God will grant them longevity (sound bodies and minds to enable them to constantly beam their
greatness amongst us and to inspire all of us.
'This list is by no means exhaustive. It is the least we can do at this time and season. And we should be excited that we have the presence of mind to do it. Thank you for your attention.
Camillus U. Ukah
