About Us
The Association of Nigerian Student Authors (ANSA) is the brainchild of multiple international award-winning Nigerian author Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu. Established in 2007 (and officially recognised by the founding school’s authorities in 2010), ANSA is dedicated to instilling the culture of reading & writing among children, teenagers & younger adults. ANSA provides the platform for this vulnerable population to contribute their quota to the promotion of Nigeria’s rich literary enterprise.

The aim is to get young ones indulged in the literary world from an early age. Let youngsters get involved from infancy (primary schools), adolescence (secondary schools) and young adulthood (tertiary institutions). ANSA provides a viable structural framework to carry youngsters through their entire existence!

ANSA provides the answers in a world where the culture of reading and writing is fast fading among young people.

In seeking this much needed revival, young people should not merely be a part of the process; young people should take over the process.

The persistent struggle for hope, for a better country, a better continent, a better world, requires a belief in youth.

This struggle cannot be sustained by one voice alone.

In the words of former U. S. President Barack Obama, there’s an urgent need to replenish the ranks of young people who are doing the hard work of making change in their communities; young men and women—irrespective of tribal, ethnic or religious inclinations—who reflect these values; young men and women who are poised to lead the way; young men and women who are ready to work in the direction of this vision.

None of us can rest on the accomplishments of the past. Every generation has the opportunity to remake the world. If we live our values and empower our young people, then they can pick up the work of the last 100 years, and lead us into the future.

There can be no greater accomplishment than fortifying youths with the power of the pen!

Upon these solemn principles rest the foundation of ANSA!

 

MISSION

To provide young people with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills, in an effort to support their educational, vocational and personal development.

VISION

To be a leading force in celebrating creative expression and helping young people find their voices and tell their stories through the power of writing and continuous collaboration.

VALUES

We’re dedicated to the core values of excellence, creativity and originality guided by a positive collaborative experience.

A Typical Week in ANSA

We have super active online interactive sessions in our various social media channels. Find below our daily program of events designed to get the best out of our cross-promotion and literary criticism.

Mondays
Dedicated to the promotion of Poetry collections. You can post your poetic pieces here and be sure to get valuable feedback.   You can also enter one of our rave-making literary contests (ANSA POET OF THE WEEK CONTEST) where you stand a chance of winning our prestigious ANSA STANDOUT POEM AWARD along with juicy publicity packages. Take advantage of our Poetry Collabo, where we collaborate to produce brilliant pieces of poetry on this day. Every member gets to contribute to the writing of different poems on the spot, within a specific period of time. Our ANSA Poetry Collabo Contest is also available for members to compete for the best ‘duet’ or ‘collabo’ on weekly basis. Poetry Circus takes full swing on this day as well, where we attempt to demystify various poetic forms (Acrostic, Haiku, Limericks, etc).
Tuesdays
Dedicated to the promotion of Prose (Fiction). You can post excerpts of your prose here for members to offer useful inputs. Again, you can enter another of our rave-making literary contests, ANSA FLASH FICTION CONTEST where you stand a chance of winning our prestigious ANSA FLASH FICTION WRITER AWARD along with juicy publicity packages. ANSA SHORT STORY CONTEST is also available for participation.
Wednesdays
We shall profile notable authors who have contributed significantly to the growth of literature across Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world. With this Author Profile Segment (APS), we aim to tap from the wealth of experience of literary greats. Knowing how they overcame challenges to reach the pinnacle of success will serve as the catalyst to unleash the sleeping giant among young aspiring authors. Our rave-making ANSA CHILDREN’S LITERATURE CONTEST is available for participation on this day. This day is also reserved for our Online Interactive Session with top players in the literary world. Rechristened ‘Seasoned Professionals Corner’ (SPC), we shall have the opportunity to meet veterans and major stakeholders in Nigeria’s literary culture, both within and outside the country. We shall all be allowed to ask questions bordering on book publishing, book promotion, author marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and sundry issues as they may interest us.
Thursdays
We shall profile notable authors who have contributed significantly to the growth of literature across Nigeria, Africa and indeed the world. With this Author Profile Segment (APS), we aim to tap from the wealth of experience of literary greats. Knowing how they overcame challenges to reach the pinnacle of success will serve as the catalyst to unleash the sleeping giant among young aspiring authors. Our rave-making ANSA CHILDREN’S LITERATURE CONTEST is available for participation on this day. This day is also reserved for our Online Interactive Session with top players in the literary world. Rechristened ‘Seasoned Professionals Corner’ (SPC), we shall have the opportunity to meet veterans and major stakeholders in Nigeria’s literary culture, both within and outside the country. We shall all be allowed to ask questions bordering on book publishing, book promotion, author marketing, Search Engine Optimization, and sundry issues as they may interest us.
Fridays
Dedicated to the promotion of Prose (Non-Fiction) works. You can post your non-fiction collections (essays, critiques, etc) here and be sure to get valuable feedback. Our new ANSA NON-FICTION WRITER OF THE WEEK CONTEST is available for participation. You can also do a non-fiction collabo with any willing ANSA member of your choice and win prizes for doing just that. Our Audio-Visual Session (AVS), which includes our Sounds & Paper segment, holds this day, where random pictures and sounds are released by anchors to test your creative minds. As you see the pictures and listen to the sounds, you can ignite the creative spark in you and come up with spectacular pieces of literary works (poems, prose, essays, etc) based on what appeals to your senses at that very moment.
Saturdays
Reserved for promotion of works outside our primary areas of interest. Termed ‘Secondary Profession Day’ (SPD), we shall dedicate this day to share experiences based on the things we do apart from reading & writing. For example, some of us are talented singers, dancers, painters, entrepreneurs, etc. Some of us have NGOs that are actively involved in community development (visiting orphanage homes, sinking boreholes, etc). Share your other creative gifts with us for the betterment of humanity!
Sundays
Dedicated to rewarding our most committed members. We shall be on the lookout for members who are most active in this literary movement. We will appreciate constant engagement and useful contributions to issues raised. Special rewards shall be given to our Top Recruiters, members who encourage their creative colleagues to be part of this noble group. Notify any of the Board Members of your interest to expand this network by bringing in new members of your kind and get rewarded for doing just that! We shall also use this day to discuss briefly how best we can improve our activities in this group. Useful suggestions shall be entertained as we constantly strive to improve the quality of our services! And of course, we shall announce winners of our weekly literary contests on this special day! At the end of every month and during special holidays (like Christmas, Easter, Sallah, etc), we shall play a fun game where free recharge cards will be made available to participants. Random questions shall be asked based on knowledge of ANSA and winners shall be promptly rewarded! At regular intervals, free recharge cards shall be given out during the said period where only the fastest fingers shall cart away the prize. These games shall also be supplemented with our exciting ANSA Predict & Win Promo where active members get to win recharge cards by correctly predicting winners of major live sporting events (World Cup, Champions League, Wimbledon Finals, NBA Finals, Olympic Games, etc). Finally, every last Sunday of the month, we review our ANSA Book of the Month as part of events organised by our ANSA BOOK CLUB.

Meet Our Team

National Executives

Maymunah Kadiri

Maymunah Kadiri

National President

Maymunah Kadiri is an award-winning screenwriter, poet and storyteller. She is the author of the chapbook, “Don’t Love Yourself”. She is a lover of literature, and an ardent reader, who believes in the promotion of the reading culture amongst youths. She is the National President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANSA).

Agnes Omayioza Yusuf

Agnes Omayioza Yusuf

National General Secretary

Agnes Omayioza Yusuf is a young Nigerian with a passion for writing poems and short stories. She is an adult that loves watching kid shows and still thinks that “ISAKABA” is a horror movie. A typical Nigerian Last born with no adulteration. She is the General Secretary of ANSA.

Job Israel Onoruoiza

Job Israel Onoruoiza

National Vice President

Job Israel Onoruoiza is an award-winning Poet, Writer and News correspondent. Israel has bagged many poetry awards from reputable writers associations like ANSA, Splendors of Dawn Poetry and many others. He served as the former Assistant General Secretary and currently the Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Student Authors (ANSA).

Enenwannaji Ekene Marcellino

Enenwannaji Ekene Marcellino

National Assistant General Secretary

Enenwannaji, Ekene Marcellino is a Graphic Designer, Growth Strategist, and Business consultant with CUE farms. The founder of the strategy and growth hub “Designs by Lino”, a fellow of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), and a poet. He is a Christian, Humanitarian, and Activist that takes every opportunity to educate and appreciate literature. He is the Assistant General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Student Authors (ANSA).

Obioma Joy

Obioma Joy

National Financial Secretary

Obioma Joy is a proficient creative writer and a poet. She is a final year student of Medical biochemistry and holds a certificate course in Journalism. She does a bit of photography and bakes too. She is currently the financial secretary of ANSA.

Adi Ngozichukwu Catherine

Adi Ngozichukwu Catherine

National Treasurer

Adi Ngozichukwu Catherine, the Treasurer of ANSA, is an ardent book lover, a self-taught artist and an Anatomist in training. She has written various short stories and is currently working on her novel. She is Cathy’s Art. The owner of the book and art blog, Tales matter. A rotaractor, gamer and animal lover. Instagram – @cathisart

Barnabas Benjamin

Barnabas Benjamin

National Welfare Secretary

Barnabas Benjamin-Iorguma is a sociopolitical commentator, blogger, researcher, proofreader and linguist. He is passionate about journalism, music, volunteering, activism, sport and networking.

Peter Ijioma Agwu

Peter Ijioma Agwu

National Academic Secretary

Peter Ijioma Agwu is a writer by profession, currently into Content Writing. He is a Nigerian by descent and also a citizen of the Benin Republic. He is studying English and Mass Communication concurrently. Favorite hobbies include reading, listening to music and watching movies. He still resides in Benin Republic.

Henry Ositadinma Chinakwe

Henry Ositadinma Chinakwe

Publicity Secretary

Ositadimma Chinakwe is a writer from Nigeria, a boundary with equal parts despair and delight he considers home. Interested in Nigerian literature and culture, his prose interacts with modern-day Nigerian possibilities by centering on imaginative Igbo protagonists. Interested also in the community of Nigerian literature, he serves as part of the PRO team at ANSA and the executive board at ZenPens Community. Reflections of his mind and matter can be found on his Twitter: @Osita_Chinakwe and conversations are welcome at his email: ositadimmaodiligabazia@gmail.com

AJ Maverick

AJ Maverick

Zonal Coordinator I (South)

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Ndibe David

Ndibe David

Zonal Coordinator II (East)

Ndibe David is a writer, teacher and passionate about The Events in Nigeria. During his stay at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, he held various leadership positions because he holds the belief – “why complain when you can be part of the system and make the change you desire.” He hopes to use his writing skills to make a change in society. Gmail: ndibedayveed@gmail.com

Mukhtar Maruf AbdulAzeez

Mukhtar Maruf AbdulAzeez

Zonal Coordinator III (West)

Mukhtar Abdulazeez goes with the moniker ThePeakOfTheLegends, he’s a lover of grammar (Grammarian), a Linguistics admirer, an English enthusiast, aspiring author, up and coming motivational speaker, prospective poet, content developer, journalist, life coach and a marriage therapist. He just published his first English language textbook “The Peak Basis Of English –Part 1.” He’s the founder of THE PEAK GRAMMAR CLINIC, and currently, he’s the Zonal Coordinator III (west) of ANSA.

Haruna Mohammad

Haruna Mohammad

Zonal Coordinator IV (North)

Mohammad Haruna is a writer, poet, educationist and typical Nigerian – he still calls every toothpaste Maclean. The playwright and aspiring chef is from Kebbi State, Nigeria and his works have appeared in Merak magazine, Ekonke platform, Ripostes of locked down voices; an anthology by the Society Of Young Nigerian Writers, Kalahari Review etc. He can be found on Instagram and Twitter @MD_Creative1.

Victor Apata

Victor Apata

Provost

Victor O. Apata, nom de plume Vikjtaar, is a creative writer, poet, editor, spoken word artist and linguist. He recently completed his Writing Mastery course and holds a certificate. He has numerous short stories and poems, and he is currently writing his books. He is known for using the ‘Yorubanglish’ language in some of his writeups. He is currently the Provost of ANSA.

Adedeji Oluwadamilola Adeola Dazzle

Adedeji Oluwadamilola Adeola Dazzle

National Editor

Dazzle is a Spoken Word Poet, Emotional Intelligence Coach, Creative Writer and African Literato. She is passionate about stories and how they are told. Dazzle likes to think that the best stories are told with simple and alluring words.

Francis Wada

Francis Wada

Ex-Officio

Francis is a humanitarian, motivational speaker, and lover of nature. He is the Founder of PickPen Concepts. He is drawn towards poetry, especially Spoken Word Poetry, but he has fiction and non-fiction works as well. Francis is an active member and a member of the board of directors as National Coordinator (Ex-officio II) of the Association of Nigerian Student Authors (ANSA) and by extension the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kogi State Chapter where he regularly rubs minds with fellow young authors as part of the organization’s robust Teen Authorship program. He is a Rotaractor. He is a Fellow of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), a brainchild of former U. S. President Barack Obama and also a member of the Lokoja Bird Club. Facebook name- Francis Wada, Gmail- franciswada7@gmail.com

 

Patrons and National Advisers

Dr Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu

Dr Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu

Founder, Emeritus President, Life Patron & Board Chair

Dr. Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu is a medical doctor, publisher, editor, novelist, playwright, poet, activist, motivational speaker, social commentator and blogger. He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Roehampton, United Kingdom. He also has a postgraduate certificate on Leadership and Management in Health from the University of Washington, USA. He has experience across healthcare, civic leadership, policy formulation and legislative drafting, business and entrepreneurship, community development and youth empowerment. A multiple international award-winning author, Dr. Kennedy is the Founder and National President of the Association of Nigerian Student Authors (ANSA). He is a Fellow of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), an initiative of former U. S. President Barack Obama. Learn more about him here.

Salamatu Sule

Salamatu Sule

ANSA Patron

Salamatu Sule was born in Opulega of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State. She is a graduate of English & Literary Studies from Kogi State University, Ayingba. She is a poet and book reviewer who has reviewed several books by prolific authors, both fiction and nonfiction, from Tope Fausua’s ‘Crushed’ and ‘Things to do before your Career Disappears’ to Abubakar Ibrahim Adam’s ‘The Whispering Trees’ including Dike Chukwumerije’s ‘Urichindere’ and many others. ‘Season of Crimson Blossoms’ by Abubakar Ibrahim Adam is her fourteenth review. Salamatu is the former Secretary, Association of Nigerian Authors and currently holds a Diplomatic Book Discourse with the German Embassy.She currently works for the Art Heritage Ltd. She is the founder of Fahimta Literary Discourse (FLD) and a worthy Patron of the Association of Nigerian Student Authors (ANSA).

Funmi Ilori

Funmi Ilori

ANSA Patron

Funmi Ilori, an educational psychologist/consultant and social entrepreneur, is the founder of iRead Network Africa, the first innovative and fully integrated ‘books on wheels’ for children in Nigeria, bridging literacy gaps, empowering teachers and enhancing education for the African child. iRead Mobile Library started operations in October 2013 with 3 children and barely three years later, iRead has grown her network to over 2200 subscribers. With Urban and Regional Planning as a first degree, Post Graduate Diploma in Education and Master’s degree in Educational Pychology, Funmi is passionate about education and the environment. Funmi is a 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow working to improve the quality of education with her dream of building the largest network of libraries in Africa. Funmi Ilori has received many prestigious awards and recognition since she commenced her innovative mobile library project and some of these include the 2015 Business and Entrepreneurship CEU Award, Clark Atlanta University, USA,  and the 2015 Business and Entrepreneurship Award by USADF.

Odoh Diego Okenyodo

Odoh Diego Okenyodo

ANSA Patron

Odoh Diego Okenyodo is a Nigerian writer, pharmacist, activist poet and journalist, who is one of the founders of Kaduna Writers’ League, KWL. He is also one of the Directors of Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation. He co-edited Camouflage: Best of contemporary writing from Nigeria, an anthology of new Nigerian writers. The anthology included works by the most renowned contemporary Nigerian writers such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Help Habila. His book of poems, intriguingly titled A Poem to its Creator, was released in March 2009 by Hybun Publications International to high critical acclaim. A Poem to its Creator was shortlisted for the US$50,000 The Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2009
Bajeh Hynes Hayat

Bajeh Hynes Hayat

National Academic Adviser

Bajeh Hynes Hayat is a Lecturer of English Literature at Kogi State Polytechnic, Osara Campus. He’s an Event Planner, Project Manager, Motivational Speaker, Human Rights Activist, Writer and Editor. He obtained his first degree in English & Literary Studies from Kogi State University, Anyigba. He also holds a Diploma in Computer Operations from K-Ems Computer Institute, FCT, Abuja. He is currently working on his Masters degree program in Kwara State University, Ilorin. He is an avid reader who also loves playing volleyball & scrabble.
Ayeyemi Taofeek Kehinde

Ayeyemi Taofeek Kehinde

National Legal Adviser

Ayeyemi Taofeek Kehinde fondly called Aswagaawy is a law graduate and author of ‘Oro n Bo: Dripping Words’ (a poetry collection). He was the First Runner-up of the BPPC September 2017 and February 2018; Winner, PoeticWednesday Anniversary Contest, 2018; First Runner-up of Okigbo Poetry Prize (University of Ibadan, 2016), 4 times winner, PIN Monthly Poetry Challenge, Top10 Page Poets of the Year (EGC 2018) among other coveted prizes and awards. He has been published in Authorpedia, The Quills, The Pengician, Tuck Magazine, Inspired Magazine, Peregrine Reads et al.
ANSA Nigeria