By Chikaodi Chukwuleta
The Managing Director, Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), novelist and author of “Anambra Anthem”, Mr. Anthony Odili Ujuboṅu was on Saturday, celebrated by members of Awka Literally Society, friends and well wishers to mark his 60th birthday.
The event, tagged “Literary Evening With Novelist Odili Ujubonu” featured special readings from the author’s works, lecture on “Ujubonu: 60 Years of Magic and Aesthetics” by Uzor Marxim Uzoatu, poetry performances, roundtable dialogue, among others.
Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,Igbariam, Community Secondary School, and Redeem International High School, both in Okpuno, also participated at the event by throwing questions to the celebrant about his literally endeavours.
In his opening remarks, co-founder of Awka Literary Society and former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr. James Ezeh, who said there were reasons to pause and ponder on activities of people who invest time and resources thinking and writing about issues in contemporary society, said one of the gains of the event would be to reshape the future of the young ones.
Former Managing Director of Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation(ANPC), publisher of the defunct National Light Group of Newspapers, and friend of the celebrant, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, commended Mr. Ujuboṅu for having resourceful thoughts for humanity, and being committed to preserving and projecting the art of writing.
Nnabuife urged upcoming writers to be inspired by the way the author is being celebrated.
In his remark, the celebrant, Mr. Ujuboṅu urged those interested in the art of writing to always task their imagination and put in their best in literary work.
On how he created the Anambra Anthem, Mr. Ujubonu said it was a creative work that emerged on its own, with about 13 drafts before he was convinced he had hit the point.
