The Literary Society of Nigeria (LSN) in conjunction with the department of English and Literary Studies, Godfrey Okoye University Enugu held the 2018 edition of the Society’s Annual Conference/Induction. The Program which lasted from Tuesday 26th – Friday 29th June, 2018 at the Salvator Mundi Hall, Godfrey Okoye University, had in attendance many renowned and upcoming writers from across Nigeria. The conference also had the Deputy Governor of Enugu state, Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo accompanied by Chief Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, Chairman/CEO Anbeez Services Ltd and a Governorship aspirant in the 2015 elections at the opening ceremony to declare the Conference open.
The President of LSN, Dr. Tunde Adeleke, while delivering his opening remarks, announced that the Society’s decision to hold their 2018 Conference in Enugu State and at Godfrey Okoye University was “completely unsolicited for”; but was rather an act of “… a child seeking out his father”. He recounted that PROFESSOR ROMANUS EGUDU, a Professor of English and Literary Studies and the Dean, faculty of Arts, Godfrey Okoye University, is the Initiator and Founder of the Society in the year 1979. It is in view of this that the conference was slated to hold at Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu in order for them to come down to Enugu to pay their father homage and honor his undying academic explorations.
High point of the day
The Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu Rev Fr. Prof Christian Anieke who is also a Professor of English and Literary Studies and a household name in the African literati was therefore honored with an inducted into the Fellowship of the Literary Society of Nigeria (LSN). The conferment was performed by the erudite Professor Romanus Egudu.
Other inductees are:
i.) Prof Diri Irie Teilanyo – Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
ii.) Prof Benjamin Nkoyen Egede –Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Delta State.
iii.) Prof Asabe Kabir-Usman – Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto, Sokoto State.
In his acknowledgment Speech, Rev Fr. Prof Christian Anieke stated that the theme of the year’s Conference: “WOMEN, YOUTH AND CHILDREN IN AFRICAN LITERATURE” was timely as it awakens the critical and creative consciousness of the time, especially in a society where the welfares of women, children and youth are given secondary attention. He further highlighted the very instrumental place of literature in socio-cultural growth and development of any society, and also encouraged writers to be on their pen as there are yet many grounds to be covered.
