Irabor commends ANA for mentoring young writers, promoting literary excellence

Arts & Entertainment, Education

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), has commended the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) for its efforts in mentoring young writers and creating platforms that encourage literary development and intellectual engagement among Nigerian youths.

Irabor made the remarks on Saturday during the June edition of the monthly Reading and Writers Dialogue organised by the Abuja chapter of ANA at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village in Abuja.

The event, a flagship programme of the association, brought together authors, literary enthusiasts, students and scholars for discussions on literature, leadership and national development.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Irabor described the initiative as a valuable platform that exposes young Nigerians to literature, critical thinking and nation-building ideals.

“This platform that ANA uses to bring students from various schools is the way to go, and we must support it,” he said.

“Their performances today actually show that they are aware of what is happening in our country. They know our history and they are preparing themselves for the future. I am delighted. Kudos to ANA for the work they are doing in this regard.”

The retired military chief, who launched his book, Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, last year, stressed the importance of writers in shaping national discourse and preserving history.

According to him, the book was written to stimulate conversations on Nigeria’s security challenges and contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening national security.

“It is necessary to tell your story because if you fail to tell your story, someone else will tell it and it may not be in your favour,” he said.

“Having revolved around defence and security for close to four decades, I thought I had something to contribute that would advance the cause of defence and security in Nigeria. That is the reason I wrote the book, and I will keep writing.”

Earlier, Chairman of ANA Abuja, Chukwudi Eze, said literature remains a powerful tool for preserving history, interrogating leadership, healing societal wounds and inspiring hope.

He explained that the association invited Irabor as guest writer to draw from his unique experiences as both a military leader and an author.

“The writer and the soldier may appear to walk different paths, yet both are custodians of our national destiny,” Eze said.

“While one defends the nation through arms, the other preserves it through ideas and the written word.”

He noted that Irabor’s latest book, Scars, demonstrates the human side of military leadership and highlights the role of reflection, empathy and memory in public service.

According to Eze, conversations of this nature are particularly important at a time when Nigeria faces challenges ranging from insecurity and social fragmentation to declining moral values and widening generational gaps.

“We must continue to tell our stories, document our journeys and humanise our leadership,” he said.

“We must create spaces where intellect meets experience, where young people can listen, question and learn from those who have carried the weight of national responsibility.”

Eze reaffirmed ANA Abuja’s commitment to promoting reading culture, critical engagement, literary excellence and youth development through literature.

Addressing students and aspiring writers at the event, he urged them to embrace reading and reflective thinking as tools for personal growth and leadership.

“Great leadership is not only built on strength, but also on thoughtfulness, emotional intelligence and the courage to reflect,” he said.

The dialogue featured panel discussions, spoken-word performances, poetry recitations, musical presentations and literary exhibitions by students.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding student writers and poets, including recipients of the Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi Prose and Poetry Prize.