Our history
OUR History
PEN Nigeria is the Nigerian Centre of PEN International (International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists) – a worldwide Association of writers, founded in 1921, known to play a leading role in promoting literature as a force of global culture and defending freedom of expression and linguistic rights across the world. PEN Nigeria became affiliated to PEN International on November 21, 2001 at the Congress held in London.
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Members of PEN champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality in one world;
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Members pledge themselves to oppose any form of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community to which they belong;
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PEN declares for a free press and opposes arbitrary censorship in time of peace;
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PEN believes that the necessary advancement of the world towards a more highly organised political and economic order renders a free criticism of governments, administrations and institutions imperative;
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And since freedom implies voluntary restraint, members pledge themselves to oppose such evils of a free press as mendacious publication, deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts for political and personal ends.