The Tourism industry could be said to be one of the
trusted revenue generators of a state or country if handled properly. The role
of tourism in the development of a state cannot be overemphasized as it could
be a strategy used to maintain the flow of cash into a state, for instance the
Dubai example. But on the other hand, tourism development could be threatened
when Tourists are not ensured of their safety. A state that have had several
cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, etc could be said not to be the perfect
tourist destination but Anambra could still be transformed despite all those
sad tales coming out of the state and that is what literary events and their
likes tend to achieve – bringing like minds in the creative industry together
not just to discuss creativity but also issues pertaining to nation building.
The 2nd Anambra Book and Creativity
Festival (ANBUKRAFT) held between the 26th of February and the 1st
of march 2014 at King David hotel, Awka. The event which was ran with the theme
“Reinvigorating the Literary, Creative and Cultural Enterprise in the Realities
of the Millennium Turn” featured various activities and presentations from
seasoned and young artists, educationists, writers, publishers, literary and
art critics, art lovers, film makers, craft makers, actors, poets and musicians
from different parts of Nigeria and beyond in addition to several roundtable discussions
and a five-day exhibition of books and crafts. On display were several
paintings on the Nigeria-Biafra war, Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and a host of
other paintings and crafts, some of them with Uli markings. The theme of the
event which was further dissected into various presentations, saw speakers cum
artists like Prof. Ben Obumselum, Rev. Fr. Ositadinma Amakaeze, Prof. Damian U.
Opata, Prof. Ayo Oloidi, Mr Lasse Lau and a host of others speak to and engaged
the participants in series of discussions while the programme lasted. The event
which had renowned poet and literary critique Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo, The Chief
Judge of Anambra state Justice Peter Umeadi and the Vice Chancellor of Madonna
University Prof. C.E Ezedum in attendance climaxed with an award ceremony which
saw a number of artists and other participators in the industry rewarded for
their contribution to the creative industry.
This interesting and highly educating programme was
almost marred by a low participation as chairs were looking for people to sit
on them but resilience and dedication was at play as the organizers of the
event led by one of Nigeria’s foremost visual artist Prof. Chuu Kryd Ikwuemesi
held on till the last day. It is rather appalling to have resource persons come
from other parts of the country and the world to share information and
disseminate ideas only to be greeted by empty seats for an event that was
greatly publicized. If people from other states and countries, knowing how
impactful the program would be could travel long distances just to attend the
event, I wonder why Anambrarians in whose domain the event is being held would
snub it. It is about time that we put a stop to the generalization that Anambra
people and the Ibos in particular only understand the language of money or
business and this stereotype is part of the reason why literary events like
this don’t seem to be common in Anambra. We shouldn’t forget in a hurry that the
state also produced the likes of world acclaimed novelists Professor Chinua
Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi, Chimamanda Adichie, one of the foremost Nigerian fine
artist Prof. Uche Okeke, Prof. Kenneth Dike, the first Nigerian sculptor Prof.
Ben Enwuonwu and a host of others currently making wave in the creative
industry.
Literary events like ANBUKRAFT would not just boost
Tourism in Anambra state but would export the people’s culture to other parts
of the country and the world. It would also serve as an avenue for young
artists, art lovers, writers, academics, and craftsmen etc to meet themselves
and with some of the people they look up. With that in mind, the government,
institutions, agencies, corporate bodies and individuals have both
participatory and sponsorship role to play in other to ensure the continuity of
ANBUKRAFT and other events of the same nature. Away from the success recorded
in terms of commerce in the state, there is need to place the state in the
world map of creativity just like some other states in Nigeria have done with
their various literary events and festivals and this is part of what ANBUKRAFT
aims to achieve.
There is a need for more events and workshops of
this nature in the state so as to awaken the creative spirit in the younger
generation, mould budding talents as well as provide them with skills that
would help them earn income, contribute to nation building and hence, make
Anambra the true light of the nation as is being carried by its slogan.
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Twitter: @Victorikeji
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