Cheers and Ribbons: The Uyo Book Club October Reading Session
Uyo Book Club is 10. I should begin with this. 10 years of engineering book-stacked dams stemming the tide of anti-intellectualism. 10 years of resuscitating Akwa Ibom’s (and Nigeria’s) reading culture; redeeming and turning it into a thriving, ever-expanding ecosystem of the literati and thinning the stalk of the illiterati. 10 years of cheering for the pen and the conscionable ideas made manifest through it.
The October Reading Session had a theme, of course; the theme was to ruminate on all of the monthly themes over the last decade and crafting a befitting programme to celebrate the milestones so far. Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotels & Suites, (opposite Ibom Hall) IBB Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State was the venue. But you’ll already know this if you’ve been keenly following the activities of the Uyo Book Club.
Here’s how the Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Sessions typically play out:
We begin with the DEAR Moment. That is, the Drop Everything And Read Moment. It is self-explanatory. No less than an hour of the voracious consumption of books – books of as many themes and possible subject topics authors have ever explored. A reenactment of library scenes – quiet, solemn, and studious.
We follow-up with other other activities. There’s always a pre-publicised *Book of the Month* and Book Reviewer. The chosen book’s author is usually present too. The Book Reviews are always a delight, and the audience hanging on to every word with bated breaths.
An interactive session with the Book of the Month’s author follows suit. No, it’s not the typical question-and-answer back-and-forth you’ll expect – it’s more. Way beyond the questions and the corresponding answers are rounded discussions on issues so profound.
There are also openings for literary performances. Spoken Word and other renditions. Sometimes, you’ll experience some unexpected twists to the order of events which are as exciting as they are intellectually fulfilling. Again, you’ll know following the Uyo Book Club’s activities. So, yes, this is your cue to do so.
The October Reading Session had us ruminating on different books read during the DEAR Moment and interacting about them. But the standout topic from the books discussed was Dara-Abasi Akpan’s overview of Peter Inyang’s “Navigating The Authenticity Paradox”.
The book explores the concepts of individualism, conformity, and sticking out in the mud. It addresses the societal pressure to keep up with the Joneses and the increased pressure Millennials and Gen Zs have to battle where pandering to the crowd no matter how wrong has become the norm. These were the basis for the group discussions, with chirped in anecdotes and analogies buttering the issues raised in the book.
Remember the opening paragraph? Uyo Book Club is 10. To mark a decade of the Book Club’s founding, activities are being mapped out to commemorate it at the instance of Dr. Udeme Nana, the Founder, and Sen. Ekong Sampson, the Patron.
All of the planning will condense into a 3-day celebration in November, 2025, which will include book fairs, book walks, performing arts, debates, book reviews, awards, a gala, and so much more.
Letters are being sent out, sponsorship opportunities are open, support is being sought for, and calls for volunteers and participation are being made. In the course the succeeding days, these and more will be made public and shared wildly.
Do well to follow @uyobookclub on Facebook and visit our website, uyobookclub.org, for timely updates.
—- Kingsley Mark Akpan
