ANA Bayelsa Elects New Chairman With Renewed Drive For New Members Passionate About Literature and National Development
As Celebrates Ogbowei at 70 and Court Victory at Biennial State Convention in Yenagoa
ANA BAYELSA ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN WITH RENEWED DRIVE FOR NEW MEMBERSHIPS PASSIONATE ABOUT LITERATURE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
– CELEBRATES OGBOWEI AT 70 AND COURT VICTORY AT BI-ENNIAL STATE CONVENTION IN YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) now has a new Chairman.
He is Dr. Ernest Weridougha who was unanimously elected at the Bayelsa State Bi-ennial Convention which held at the New NLC/TUC Secretariat Complex Conference Hall in Yenagoa on Sunday, July 20th, 2025.
Dr Weridougha is an academic don and a lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Dramatic Arts at the State-Owned Niger Delta University (NDU). He is a published author of a play titled: “Dark Arrow,” amongst other publications.
In his acceptance speech, after he was overwhelmingly voted, Dr Weridougha appreciated the trust reposed on him to lead the writers’ body in Bayelsa State, under the aegis of ANA, as he pledged to reposition the association for improved partnerships and more social engagements to boost literary activities in the state.
Earlier, while declaring the results of the polls, Chairperson of the
three-man Electoral Committee (ELECOM), Professor Blessing Igwesi, who is the author of the award winning novel – “Victims of Stigmatization,” charged the new executive to be above board and bring their wealth of experience to bare in the comity of writers in Bayelsa and beyond.
Prof. Igwesi, who reviewed and unveiled the maiden edition of ANA Bayelsa Journal, some five years ago, was flanked by other two Professors in the ELECOM, who conducted the elections.
They were Professor Odingowei Kwokwo – a former Head of Department of English and Literary Studies and Associate Professor Rudolf Kansese of the Theatre and Dramatic Arts Department – all three ELECOM are erudite academics in the Niger Delta University (NDU).
Others in the newly elected executive of ANA Bayelsa were: Mrs Joy Oyobuere Ifidi – a seasoned broadcast journalist with Niger Delta Television (NDTV); former Financial Secretary and Treasurer of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and author of the poetry collection: “My Father’s Medicine Bag.” Ms. Ifidi is the newly elected Vice Chairperson.
A doctoral candidate – Mr. Tortivie Abasi, a published author of several works, is the new Secretary General. He lectures Literature in the Department of English and Literary Studies, at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT).
Mr Egbo Izibetome, a prolific poet and author of “Echoes of Sanity and Other Poems” emerged as the Assistant State Secretary General while Mr Wilberforce Okilo was elected as the State Chapter’s Financial Secretary.
Mrs Komonibo Etebu, a traditional izon griot who mesmerised the audience with traditional oral literary performances in indigenous izon language; emerged as the Bayelsa State Treasurer while Mr Yambozibe Egemuze author of the fictional piece: “A Snake in the Dark” was also elected as Auditor.
Others were the Public Relations Officers One (Electronic and Print) and Two (New Media) – Dr Potency Owei, who is an academic staff in the English and Communication Studies Department of Federal University, Otuoke; and Mr. Victor Oroyi, Chief Executive Officer of a virile and viral online news blog magazine dubbed: reflectortv24.com; while Barrister Gibson Gbalimore is to serve as Legal Adviser in the newly elected ANA Bayelsa Executive.
Before the beginning of the electoral segment of the three-in-one ANA Bayelsa Bi-ennial State Convention, a session of celebration for the Ace-Poet and Veteran academic don – an award winning sage and author of several poetry collections – His Highness, Chief George, better known by the pen name as “g. ebinyo ogbowei,” written in his unique small letters (just like the renowned poet – e. e. cumings); who clocked Seventy on Saturday, July 19th, 2025.
In his keynote lecture, Professor Odingowei Kwokwo who cited copious lines from the celebrant’s poetry collections including “let the honour run,” “march boy and other poems,”and “the wounded river.”
He gave an expose of Ogbowei’s poetry under the theme of: “Power, Politics and Identity in g. ebinyo ogbowei’s Poetry.”
He encapsulated the quintessential style of Ogbowei to include his nuances of metaphoric stylistics use of local colours and themes induced by environmental degradation occasioned by oil and gas explorations in the Niger Delta by IOCs; and the need for a revolution to topple the tide.
Members read and performed original poetry eulogies written in honour of the Septuagenarian celebrant (ogbowei@70) as they reeled out his legacies and traits of being a mentor, teacher, father figure, poetic hero and trail blazer in literary scholarship including being on the long and short lists of the prestigious NLNG Prize for Literature (poetry edition) on three different editions.
Chief George aka “g. ebinyo ogbowei” has etched a prime place in setting the agenda of introducing Niger Delta Literature as a course of study in the Department of English and Literary Studies when he held away as Head of Department in NDU before his timely retirement upon the age 65 years on July 2020, five years ago.
The ANA Bayelsa new executive were duly inaugurated with an oath of allegiance administered by the ELECOM, Chairperson Professor Blessing Igwesi; flanked by Prof. Odingowei Kwokwo and the Secretary – Associate Prof. Rudolf Kansese who had served as ELECO Secretary on two other past state elections.
A total of forty-three writers, authors and literary enthusiasts, were in attendance.
The bi-ennial state convention ended with photo sessions, refreshments, and exchange of books as members went round the book stands for a creative tour.
The conviviality that rented the ambience was electric as bonded camaraderie, love and unity towards a virile creative goal were unmatched.
The ANA Bayelsa Bi-ennial Convention was attended and endorsed by five past Chairmen besides the celebrant, a two-time Chairman – who clocked 70 – G. Ebinyo Ogbowei (2006-2008; 2012-2014); Dr Akpos Adesi – (2019-2021) – Registrar of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT); High Chief Adophus Munamuna (2021-2023); Dr. Amatare Mozimo (2023 as Acting Chairman) and Dr. Laye Julius (2023-2025), who handed over to the new ANA Bayelsa Chairman – Dr. Ernest Weridougha.
