PAWA Scretary-General: Significance of Wale Okediran’s re-election for Africa
By Umar Osabo
THE re-election of Dr. Wale Okediran as Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) is not just a personal or institutional milestone, it is a continental signal of cultural continuity, literary resurgence, and intellectual realignment for Africa. In a world where political instability, economic hardship, and cultural erosion continue to challenge the soul of the continent, the reaffirmation of a visionary literary leader underscores a quiet but profound renaissance—one that begins with the written word.
One of the most symbolic dimensions of this re-election is PAWA’s ability—under Dr. Okediran’s leadership—to pull together literary representatives from North, South, East, West, Central Africa, and the Diaspora. This pan-African inclusivity is critical at a time when continental fragmentation, exacerbated by linguistic colonial legacies (Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone and Arabophone) continue to thwart integration efforts. By strengthening PAWA as a cross-cultural literary forum, Dr. Okediran helps dismantle artificial borders in the literary landscape, laying the foundation for a united African cultural front.
Dr. Okediran’s re-election points to the growing realization that African development cannot rely solely on politics or economics—it must be underpinned by intellectual and cultural sovereignty. African writers, like prophets and philosophers, have long been the continent’s conscience. From Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s anti-colonial linguistic revolt to Mariama Bâ’s feminist vision, literature in Africa has historically functioned as both mirror and hammer—reflecting society’s ills while shaping its ideals. Under Okediran, PAWA is reclaiming this legacy by giving African writers the institutional support needed to serve as voices of change.
Okediran’s tenure has also been defined by practical institutional rejuvenation. From fostering intra-African literary collaborations to spearheading initiatives like writers’ residencies and cross-border literary festivals, he has shifted PAWA from a symbolic organization to a functioning, impactful one. His role in expanding PAWA’s programming globally ensures that African voices are no longer relegated to the margins of global literature but are asserting themselves with dignity and originality.
Dr. Wale Okediran
This is critical for a continent often misrepresented by Western media and scholarship. The more African writers tell their own stories through their own lenses, the more the continent takes back its narrative power.
Dr. Okediran’s diverse background—as a medical doctor, a former legislator, and a celebrated novelist—reflects a rare fusion of policy, health, and culture. For Africa, where siloed governance often separates arts from national development planning, this interdisciplinary leadership is vital. His example challenges African governments to stop treating the arts as decorative or optional, and to begin integrating culture into policies around education, mental health, and nation-building.
Perhaps the most far-reaching implication of Okediran’s re-election lies in his commitment to mentoring the next generation of African writers. Through initiatives like the Ebedi International Writers Residency, he is nurturing young literary talents, especially from underrepresented regions. In a demographic context where over 60% of Africa’s population is under 25, investing in youth literature is both a cultural imperative and a strategic necessity. PAWA’s increasing visibility and structural strength can inspire African youth to see literature not merely as a hobby but as a viable career path, a platform for activism, and a means to influence public discourse.
African literature has long been celebrated abroad—Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nuruddin Farah, and others have achieved global acclaim. However, for too long international recognition has outpaced continental support. Dr. Okediran’s renewed mandate provides an opportunity to reverse this imbalance by strengthening the local ecosystem that nurtures writers. This includes lobbying for national book policies, supporting publishing houses, protecting copyright, and creating more literary platforms within Africa.
Through such systemic support, African writers can dominate not just international literary festivals but also influence global discourse on migration, climate change, identity, and justice.
At a time when Africa grapples with coups, corruption, poverty, and cultural amnesia, Dr. Wale Okediran’s re-election signals a quiet revolution—a literary insurgency rooted in unity, dignity, and intellectual empowerment. His leadership reinforces the idea that literature is not a luxury; it is a necessity for continental healing, historical memory, and forward-looking imagination. This development reminds us that the African Renaissance is not only economic or political—it is also literary, philosophical, and deeply spiritual. And with PAWA under the stewardship of someone who straddles multiple worlds, the African voice is poised to echo louder, clearer, and more defiantly across the globe.
