SYNW COMMISERATES WITH ANA OVER DEATH OF ITS TRUSTEE, MAL LABO YARI
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) has extended heartfelt condolences to the President of ANA, Mr. Camillus Ukah on the passing of Mal. Labo Yari, one of the trustees of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
SYNW joined ANA and the literary community in Nigeria to mourn the loss of a great writer and literary icon.
Mal. Labo Yari. Labo Yari was born on 14th April, 1942 in Katsina and was among the first generation of Nigerian writers. Labo Yari was present when the first generation of writers came together to establish the Association Of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in 1981. As at the time of his death, he was one of the longest serving trustees of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
In a statement released by the President of SYNW, Wole Adedoyin, he expressed his condolences to the family of Mal. Labo Yari, ANA, and the literary community in Nigeria. He described the late writer as a "towering figure in the Nigerian literary scene" who made significant contributions to the promotion of Nigerian literature.
Adedoyin noted that Mal. Labo Yari's works and contributions to Nigerian literature would continue to inspire generations of writers in Nigeria and beyond. He urged the literary community to celebrate his life and legacy and to continue to build on his contributions to the growth of Nigerian literature.
The SYNW President also commended ANA for its role in promoting literature in Nigeria and urged the association to continue to champion the cause of Nigerian writers. He noted that the loss of Mal. Labo Yari is not only a loss to ANA but to the entire literary community in Nigeria.
Adedoyin also called on the government to do more to support the development of literature in Nigeria. He urged the government to establish more book development agencies and to provide funding and other support to writers and publishers in the country.
The SYNW President further noted that the literary community in Nigeria has lost several great writers and literary icons in recent times, including Prof. JP Clark, Biyi Bandele, Prof. Sam Ukala, Ikeogu Ike, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Stella Oyedepo, Prof. Akinwumi Isola, Dr. Adebayo Faleti, Prof. David Ker, Prof. Jerry Agada, Pa Gabriel Okara to mention but few. He called on the government and other stakeholders to work together to preserve their legacies and ensure that their works continue to inspire future generations of writers.
Finally, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) acknowledged Yari's contributions to Nigerian literature and his role in the formation of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), stating that his passing was a huge loss to the association and the literary community at large.