The President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Camillus Ukah has congratulated Dr. Wale Okediran on his emergence as the newly elected Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).
ANA in a statement signed by its current General Secretary, Maik Ortserga said Dr. Wale Okediran’s unanimous confirmation by the General Council of the Pan African Writers Association to head the body for another three years is a testament to his years of literary experience, achievements and outstanding performance while in office as Acting Secretary General of PAWA.
It would be recalled that Dr. Wale Okediran was first appointed Secretary-General of PAWA in acting capacity in 2020 few years after the death of Prof. Atukwei Okai, the founding Secretary-General of PAWA. Prof. Okai’s death had left the position vacant for about two years.
While wishing Dr. Wale Okediran the best in his new position, ANA President, Camillus Ukah added that he expects Dr. Wale Okediran’s election as Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) will bring more joy and more honour to the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and Nigeria in particular.
ANA President further affirmed that Dr Wale Okediran, who over the years concentrated his energy on rebuilding, rebranding and promoting PAWA will excel in his new position and take the association to enviable heights during his term as the Secretary General of PAWA.
ANA finally joined family, friends and colleagues in wishing Dr. Wale Okediran well in his new endeavour and also prayed to Almighty God to imbue him with good health and wisdom to succeed on the task.
Dr. Okediran brings to the position almost 30 years’ experience as a public servant.
He served as a Member of the Federal House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, contributing to advocacy, regional dialogue and policy development, leading to improvements in health across Africa. He has consulted for several international and local development agencies such as Constella Futures International USA, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, USIS, UNAIDS, NPHCDA, NACA, UNICEF, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, and Action Aid.
Dr. Okediran has published till date, fourteen novels, many of which are on the reading lists of a number of Nigerian universities.His highly acclaimed novel, Tenants of the House, which is a fictional account of his years in the House of Representatives was the 2011 Co-Winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature.
Together with a few friends, Dr. Okediran in 2010 established the first Writers Residency in Nigeria, the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin, Oyo State. This is an initiative that is building and motivating teams of writers across Africa and the world at large.
Dr. Okediran is a Fellow of the General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria and Fellow of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, and a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, prior to serving as its National President between 2006 and 2009. Dr. Okediran is currently the Deputy Secretary-General (Africa) for the Union of Writers from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Dr. Okediran holds BSc (Hons) 1977, MB, ChB 1980 from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). In view of his prowess in the field of sports where he variously represented his University and Oyo State, Dr. Okediran was awarded a university scholarship for sports between 1977 and 1980 at the University of Ife.
Credit: Wale Adedoyin
