After four fruitful years of her tenure as the chairman of Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA Abuja chapter, Halima Usman has exited office amidst catalogue of milestones.
This comes after she completed her constitutional two terms of two years each.
She handed over the baton to the newly elected executive members of the association headed by a former secretary of the chapter, John ‘Freeman’ Ondoma who emerged the new chairman through an electioneering exercise which took place on Saturday at Mamman Vatsa Foundation, Wuse Zone 2 Abuja.
Usman was first elected to chair the association in 2018 amidst plethora of crisis. She immediately hit the ground running, restoring calm, sanity and confidence in the once chaotic chapter of the foremost literary body in Nigeria.
Her sterling leadership, again handed her another landslide victory in 2020, ushering in the second lap of her 4 consecutive years in office.
In a remark shortly before the dissolution of her EXCO, the out-gone chairman expressed gratitude to members for their support which saw the chapter host series of qualitative events and literary outings.
She equally admitted that there were challenges her leadership encountered, particularly “the crisis at the national level, which like cancer gradually ate the fabrics of our existence, yet we are still standing.
“To tell the truth, leadership during crisis is not easy but it is the best defining moment of a leader, because it’s that time that puts you to the test to know what stuff you are made of” she said.
Her tenure has been praised for series of literary activities including school outreaches as well as revival of existing relationships with relevant organisations and initiation of new ones.
One of such she said is clearly seen in the use of Mamman Vatsa Foundation office space for ANA Abuja activities, applauding the magnanimity of the kindness of the late military officer 36 years after his death.
She commended Vatsa’s children for sustaining the legacy of their father who died serving the nation.
The newly elected chairman, John ‘Freeman’ Ondoma in his acceptance speech while soliciting the cooperation of all members pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor.
Other officers who emerged include, Charles Iwuchukwu as the vice chairman, Luka Ishaya as the Secretary, and Eyimeh Valentine Enemako as the Assistant Secretary.
Others are Maria Gbagir as Financial Secretary, Comfort Chenge as Treasurer, and Paul Dimlong as the Publicity Secretary. Their tenure comes to end in 2024.
The electoral committee chaired by Dr. Liz Iheanacho had Mr. Patrick Oguejioffor and Brig Gen. Dele Tajudeen Olabode (Rtd) as secretary and member respectively.
Images from the change of guards
