IBUSA INTELLECTUALS UNITE UNDER GUILD OF WRITERS AND AUTHORS UMBRELLA

 IBUSA INTELLECTUALS UNITE UNDER GUILD OF WRITERS AND AUTHORS UMBRELLA

*SET TO HONOUR NGOZI KWUSIKE WITH A NIGHT OF TRIBUTES IN IBUSA

Story By Emeka Esogbue

The determined efforts of the Ibusa people in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State for the social progress of the community continued unperturbed with the foundation of yet another body by like-minds from the community. Intellectuals of the Ibusa community have 'conjoined' to form an organization under the aegis of the Guild of Ibusa Writers and Authors (GIWA). The Ibusa group of community artists is for the first time bringing together writers and authors from the community known for its huge number of scholars to contribute their quota towards the development of the community. 

GIWA is composed of literary-minded indigenes of the community; writers, authors of works in different fields, culture enthusiasts, publishers, media personalities, filmmakers, and other lovers of arts. The Group guided by the constitution has the major objective of bringing together these listed Ibusa professionals from home and abroad to foster care, concern, and interest of intellectuals from the community, to preserve and offer promotion of the cultural interest of the people of Ibusa, and support and promotion of writers from the community to further promote reading culture. 

The Group already garnering prominent intellectuals to its social fold as members from among patriotic indigenes, willingly eager to identify with Ibusa literary and cultural development, at the moment falls under the successful leadership of Dr. Henry Obi Ajumeze, a Lecturer, School of Arts, Languages, and Cultures of the University of Manchester. The General Secretary is Comrade Austin Ogechukwu Nwulia, a Poet and Writer. Dr. Priscilla Okeleke, a Career Counselor is the body's Treasurer while Elder Emeka Esogbue (this author), a Historian and Journalist is the Convener of the group. 

The President, Dr. Ajumeze has started to call for recognition for the Group from the government, community, and other stakeholders who are lovers of Ibusa arts and have an interest in the development of literature and culture within the Oshimili North community fold at heart. 

"Writers all over the world get supported by government and subsidized and our immediate Government should know about the role of the artists in the political sphere," the literary giant with foreign awards and honours said in a statement made to the members of the Association recently. 

"Association of Nigerian Authors was given land to build a huge secretariat in Abuja, subsequent governments have been supporting them to build it to completion. This is our Ibusa union of artists, we should be supported especially by the Government at the local government level since we are making the same goal as they do."

Dublin-based publisher of Xclusive Magazine, Dr. Peter Anene-Nzekwue, another top member of the newly founded Association also gave his verdict on GIWA. He said that creative writers in the community can play to their strengths if they focus on things that can endure. Written words, according to him, are all writers have as writers and there's nothing more heroic and eternal than words on marble. 

Frank Isioma Okafor has also had to breakdown the pursuits and mechanisms of the Guild of Ibusa Writers and Authors to function under the categories of immediate, short term and long-term activities, all of which will be beneficial to the community just as other prominent members of the Association including Hon Austin Ajufo, the Secretary to the Oshimili North Local Government Council gave his opinions on what is to be expected from the Organization. 

Guild of Ibusa Writers and Authors also plans a night of tributes for the late poet and writer, Philip Ngozi Kwusike on October 8 with the general public expected to participate in the program. Already the body of intellectuals has started to reach out to concerned personalities to make the event see the light of the day.  

GIWA President, Dr. Ajumeze has promised to work closely with Hon Innocent Esewezie to make the event, efforts, and other objects of GIWA a success for the Ibusa community. As usual, some prominent Ibusa indigenes have promised to help GIWA succeed while a few have pledged their assistance to see the night of tributes work out. 

Other members of the Guild of Ibusa Writers and Authors include Prof Austin Uwandulu, Prof Vincent Icheku, Dr. Collins Nweke, Dr. Roy Ofili, Pastor Felix Nyemike Nkadi, Mr. Victor Asianah, Sir Tony Oraegbu, Miss Buchi Emeagwai, Mr. Augustine Ajufo, Comrade Ephraim Adinlofu, Stanley Ifechukwude Elege, and many others.