It was a joyful moment last weekend as Awka Literary Society, literary enthusiasts, friends and well-wishers celebrated a novelist and author of “Anambra Anthem”, Mr. Anthony Odili Ujuboṅu as he turned sixty years of age.
The event tagged “Literary evening with novelist, Odili Ujubonu”, featured special readings from Ujubonu’s works, lecture on “Ujubonu: 60 years of magic and aesthetics” by Uzor Marxim Uzoatu, poetry performances, roundtable dialogue, among others.
Speaking during the opening remark, Co-founder of Awka Literary Society and former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr. James Ezeh, who said there are 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.
A veteran journalist and friend of the celebrant, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, said Mr Odili is an awesome man and a good person with a good heart.
He who commended Mr. Ujuboṅu for having resourceful thoughts for humanity, and being committed to preserving and projecting the art of writing, urged upcoming writers to be inspired by the way the author is being celebrated.
Earlier speaking, the celebrant, Managing Director, Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, ANSAA expressed happiness for a worthy life at sixty and God blessings upon his life
Mr. Odili Ujuboṅu, who said he write for a purpose, noted that age is just a number, “I woke up every day, my schedule still the same, I have to serve Anambra as the Governor request of me and so I am happy being here at sixty years.
He urged those interested in the art of writing to always task their imagination, and put in their best in literary work.
Addressing questions from Students 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.
Meanwhile, Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University IgbMr Ujubuoṅu is also an advertising professional and Managing Director, Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, ANSAA.
ariam, Community Secondary School, and Redeem International High School, both in Okpuno, also participated at the event, and had opportunity to ask the celebrant questions around and about his literary endeavors.
