Wole Adedoyin Takes Over As ANA Acting General Secretary Following Joan Oji's Resignation

WOLE ADEDOYIN TAKES OVER AS ANA ACTING GENERAL SECRETARY FOLLOWING JOAN OJI'S RESIGNATION

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced the appointment of Mr. Wole Adedoyin as its Acting General Secretary, following the resignation of Dame Joan Oji, PhD, from the position of General Secretary and member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association. The appointment takes immediate effect and will subsist for the remainder of the current administration, which ends in 2027.

The announcement was made by the President of the Association, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, who explained that Dame Joan Oji voluntarily resigned her position following her relocation to the United States of America after being granted Permanent Residency. In line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Association of Nigerian Authors regarding officers resident outside Nigeria, the National Executive Council accepted her resignation with appreciation for her exceptional service to the Association.

Dr. Akanbi described Dame Joan Oji's tenure as one marked by unwavering dedication, integrity, professionalism, and administrative excellence. He noted that her outstanding contributions over the past thirty months played a pivotal role in restoring the dignity, stability, and operational effectiveness of the Association. According to him, her commitment to the ideals of ANA and her exemplary leadership have earned her a permanent place in the history of the Association.

Pursuant to the constitutional provisions of ANA, the Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Wole Adedoyin, has automatically assumed the office of Acting General Secretary. Consequently, his name and signature shall henceforth appear alongside that of the President on all official correspondence, policy documents, press statements, and communications issued on behalf of the Association.

Mr. Wole Adedoyin, an author, literary administrator, and cultural advocate, has served diligently as Assistant General Secretary since the inception of the current administration. Widely acknowledged for his commitment to literary development, effective communication, and organizational administration, he has contributed significantly to the implementation of several programmes and initiatives that have strengthened the Association's operations and public engagement.

Reacting to his appointment, Mr. Adedoyin expressed profound gratitude to the leadership and members of ANA for the confidence reposed in him. He paid glowing tribute to Dame Joan Oji, describing her as not only an outstanding General Secretary but also a mother, mentor, and administrator whose guidance and wealth of experience shaped his understanding of effective organizational leadership. He pledged to build upon the strong administrative foundation she established and to continue seeking her counsel whenever necessary.

In her response, Dame Joan Oji warmly congratulated Mr. Adedoyin on his new responsibility and expressed confidence in his capacity to lead the Secretariat successfully. Drawing from over four decades of experience as an educator, she described him as a faithful, available, and teachable leader whose dedication and willingness to learn have distinguished him within the Association. She assured him of her continued support and mentorship, expressing optimism that he would successfully steer the affairs of the Secretariat and eventually succeed as substantive General Secretary after the expiration of the current tenure in 2027.

The National Executive Council and the General Congress of ANA have expressed deep appreciation to Dame Joan Oji for her years of faithful and selfless service to the Association. Members acknowledged her invaluable role in strengthening institutional governance, improving administrative efficiency, and supporting initiatives that have repositioned ANA as Nigeria's foremost literary organization. They also celebrated her new milestone and wished her continued success, fulfilment, and God's guidance in all her future endeavours.

While accepting her resignation with mixed emotions, the Association emphasized that Dame Joan Oji remains an integral member of the ANA family despite her relocation. The leadership expressed optimism that she would continue to support the Association from abroad through mentorship, advisory roles, and participation in its programmes. ANA also looks forward to welcoming her physically at its forthcoming 45th International Convention and other future activities of the Association.

The Association of Nigerian Authors reiterated its commitment to continuity, institutional stability, and the promotion of literature and literary excellence in Nigeria and beyond. With the appointment of Mr. Wole Adedoyin as Acting General Secretary, the Association assures its members, partners, and stakeholders that its programmes, advocacy initiatives, membership services, and administrative activities will continue seamlessly as it pursues its vision of advancing Nigerian literature and nurturing generations of writers.

 

Growing Concerns Over Delayed Response To Kidnappings Prompt Calls For Urgent Security Action

GROWING CONCERNS OVER DELAYED RESPONSE TO KIDNAPPINGS PROMPT CALLS FOR URGENT SECURITY ACTION

Pastor Tolu Adedoyin, Pastor of First Christ Gospel Ministries, Adebomi Aiyegun, Ibadan, and former Governorship Candidate of the African Peoples Alliance (APA) in the 2019 Oyo State Governorship Election, has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Speaking on the increasing incidents of kidnapping, attacks on rural communities, and growing fear among residents, He noted that the security of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of government at all levels. He stressed that citizens should not be forced to live under constant fear while carrying out their daily economic and social activities.

According to him, farmers, traders, students, and commuters in Oriire and surrounding communities have become increasingly vulnerable to criminal activities, creating a climate of uncertainty that threatens both livelihoods and social stability. He described the situation as unacceptable and requiring immediate intervention.

Further observed that many Nigerians have raised concerns about what appears to be a delayed response to the kidnapping crisis. He noted that serious efforts to address the growing insecurity seemed to gain momentum only after political parties had concluded their primary elections, a development that has generated public debate about governmental priorities.

He stated that such perceptions, whether accurate or not, underscore the need for leaders to demonstrate greater urgency in responding to security challenges. According to him, governance should be driven by the welfare of the people rather than political timetables, emphasizing that every life lost to insecurity represents a failure of leadership and public accountability.

Drawing from his experience as a former House of Assembly candidate for Ibadan North Constituency II in 2015 and Governorship Candidate in 2019, reiterated his commitment to advocating for policies and actions that promote peace, justice, and sustainable development across Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.

He called on the Federal Government to strengthen intelligence gathering, increase security presence in vulnerable communities, improve surveillance along major highways, and ensure the prompt prosecution of kidnappers and their sponsors. He argued that criminal networks must be dismantled through coordinated and decisive action.

The cleric also urged the Oyo State Government to deepen collaboration with local security outfits, traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents. He emphasized the importance of community-based security initiatives and the need to provide adequate support for victims of kidnapping and their families.

In addition, He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and avoid actions capable of creating division along ethnic, religious, or political lines. He maintained that insecurity is a collective challenge that requires unity, responsibility, and active citizen participation.

Concluding his statement, Pastor Tolu Adedoyin offered prayers for all victims of kidnapping and violence across Nigeria. He prayed for the safe release of captives, comfort for affected families, wisdom for leaders, and lasting peace throughout the nation. He expressed confidence that with sincere leadership, effective security measures, and collective commitment from citizens, Nigeria can overcome its current security challenges and build a safer future for all.

ANA Set for Two-Day Capacity Building Workshop on Copyright, Reproduction Rights in Ibadan

ANA SET FOR TWO-DAY CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP ON COPYRIGHT, REPRODUCTION RIGHTS IN IBADAN

By ANA Media Team

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is set to host a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Copyrights, Reproduction Rights and Royalties Management aimed at strengthening authors' knowledge and understanding of intellectual property protection within Nigeria's literary and creative industries.

The workshop is scheduled to hold on Thursday, 18 June and Friday, 19 June 2026 at Elders Place, No. 17, Abinusawa Street, Off Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Bus Stop, along Idi Ape, Basorun Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, beginning at 12:00 noon each day.

The workshop is being organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG). It is designed to deepen participants' understanding of copyright protection, reproduction rights, royalties administration, collective management systems, and practical strategies for safeguarding intellectual property in an increasingly digital and competitive creative environment.

Participants at the workshop will comprise Chairmen and Secretaries drawn from seven ANA State Chapters in the Southwest and North Central zones, namely Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun and Kwara States. The selected participants are expected to serve as copyright ambassadors within their respective chapters, helping to disseminate the knowledge acquired during the programme.

The first day of the workshop, Thursday, 18 June 2026, will be facilitated by experts from the Oyo State Office of the Nigerian Copyright Commission. The session will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of copyright law in Nigeria, the rights and protections available to authors under existing legislation, and the strategic role of the Commission in protecting literary and creative works from infringement and unauthorized exploitation.

A major component of the NCC workshop will focus on reproduction rights and secondary rights, helping participants understand the legal framework governing the reproduction of literary works and the Commission's role in licensing and enforcement. Discussions will also examine the growing challenges posed by piracy, unauthorized copying and digital dissemination of copyrighted materials.

The NCC team will further lead practical sessions on intellectual property protection, including effective strategies for safeguarding literary works, procedures for registering creative works with the Commission, and advisory services available to authors. Participants will also benefit from a hands-on registration session designed to provide practical guidance on copyright documentation and compliance.

On Friday, 19 June 2026, the workshop will shift focus to reproduction rights administration under the auspices of the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG). Participants will be introduced to REPRONIG's mandate, functions and services, as well as the significance of collective rights management in protecting authors' interests and ensuring fair compensation for the use of their works.

The REPRONIG workshop will explore the administration of reproduction licensing, royalty collection, management and distribution mechanisms, and the various benefits available to authors who register with and participate in the Society's collective management framework. Particular attention will be paid to practical ways authors can maximize earnings from the legitimate use of their intellectual property.

Additional sessions will focus on the registration of authors and literary works with REPRONIG, the protection of literary content through collective rights management systems, and interactive advisory engagements that will enable participants to obtain professional guidance on membership, rights administration and royalty entitlements. A dedicated registration session will also be conducted for interested authors.

The National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, will serve as Chief Host of the workshop. He described the initiative as a significant step towards empowering Nigerian authors with the knowledge and tools required to protect their creative assets and benefit from the economic value of their intellectual property. ANA encourages all invited participants to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to strengthen their professional capacity and contribute to the advancement of Nigeria's literary ecosystem.