By Damiete Braide
Last Saturday, PEN Nigeria held its convention at Freedom Park, Lagos, marking a milestone in the association’s history. The event culminated in the election of new executive members unopposed to oversee its activities for the next three years, a testament to the organisation’s dedication to democratic principles. This is in stark contrast to certain African countries where leadership changes remain a challenge, with some presidents holding on to power for decades without credible elections.
The newly elected leadership includes Toyin Adenubi as President, Samuel Adebayo as Vice President 1, Rosemary Oniba as Vice President 2, Raphael Tathagata as Secretary, and Alima Abdulazeez as Treasurer. The elections symbolise a fresh chapter for PEN Nigeria, and the new team is expected to build on the achievements of their predecessors.
Outgoing President Folu Agoi, who assumed office in 2017, shared reflections on his tenure, emphasising how the association had grown both in membership and reputation under his leadership. “When I took over, PEN Nigeria was in a challenging state,” Agoi said. “We embarked on a membership drive, bringing in young members of the literary community and reestablishing our presence in Nigeria. Today, PEN Nigeria is recognised across different strata of society.”
Agoi highlighted some of the association’s notable accomplishments, including its alignment with United Nations programmes and its partnerships with organisations such as CORA. Poetry festivals, anthologies, and international collaborations also stood out as key achievements. However, logistical and financial constraints, compounded by insecurity in the country, limited activities to Lagos and nearby areas.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges, forcing the association to pivot to virtual platforms. Despite these difficulties, Agoi saw a silver lining in the technological advancements spurred by the pandemic. “The good side of COVID-19 was the stimulation of online and virtual meetings, which allowed us to engage with writers globally,” he noted. Agoi also expressed gratitude to his executive team and members for their support during his tenure. “We ensured that PEN Nigeria remained respected and recognised by PEN International.”
In her acceptance speech, Toyin Adenubi, the new president, expressed her gratitude and outlined her vision for the future. “I feel very honoured,” she said. “As the former Treasurer of the association, I promise we will deliver to the best of our abilities and continue where the past executives left off. Together, we will move PEN Nigeria forward.”
Samuel Adebayo, Vice President 1, echoed her sentiments, pledging unwavering support for the president’s initiatives. Secretary Raphael Tathagata, who has been an active member behind the scenes, also expressed his commitment to the association’s goals. “I am grateful for this opportunity,” he said. “We promise to deliver.”
Reflecting on her time as Treasurer, Adenubi reported a notable increase in financial contributions from members, enabling the association to fulfill its obligations to PEN International and even cover part of its 2024 dues. She emphasised the importance of financial support to sustain the association’s programmes. Members also called for greater efforts to attract new participants and maintain the association’s growth trajectory.
The election process, chaired by Adedayo Ademipada, was seamless. He praised the outgoing executives for their dedication and urged the incoming team to elevate PEN Nigeria’s impact. The transition was particularly symbolic, with the election of Adenubi as the first female president. “This is a great day,” Agoi remarked. “When I took over, the association’s membership was very small, but today, it has grown significantly. History is being made, and I am proud we now have a female president. We hope the political class will take a cue from PEN Nigeria.”
As PEN Nigeria embarks on this new chapter, the association looks forward to furthering its mission of promoting literature as a tool for societal development while maintaining its strong presence both nationally and internationally. The promise of continuity and innovation under Adenubi’s leadership gives members hope for an even brighter future.