The 2nd National Book Clubs Conference held in Uyo September 15-18th has come and gone. But, this was no kindergarten afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of days. This is for keeps, an exciting memory engraved in our hearts, an event worthy of many stories.
It was more than just a gathering of intellectuals. It was an amalgamation of ideas, a potpourri of perspectives, a tapestry of well-woven deliberations and a story to be told and retold. The stars seem to have been aligned for the participants who came from all parts of the Country to Uyo, the host City and thanks to the activities of the Uyo Book Club, Nigeria’s FIRST BOOK CLUB’S CITY.
By all standards, it was quite an eventful week. A lot of it was spent in Uyo, Abak, Mkpatak, and Ikot Ekpene; traversing many Local Government Areas, all in Akwa Ibom State. The message was simple and direct:
Push the frontiers of reading at the Second National Conference and AGM of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria, NBRP.
Talk about setting the standards. Talk about driving the dreams of an entire nation through a Book Club. From the first day at the opening ceremony, Lady Luck worked seamlessly with the stakeholders under the able and visionary leadership of Uyo Book Club Founder, Dr. Udeme Nana, a Book enthusiast.
The roll call was almost endless,
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Barr. Boss Mustapha, who sent a representative, Chairman of Top Faith Schools and University, Dr. Emmanuel Abraham, the indefatigable Richard Mammah, President, Network of Book Clubs and Readers Promoters (NBRP), Rt. Hon. Dr. Ekong Sampson, Abom Toni Esu, Prof. Joe Ushie, long list of the 2022 NLNG Prize for Literature; Dr.Martin Akpan, Dr. Ntiense Utuk, Iboro Otongaran, Professor Obot Etukudo, Professor Felicia Etim, the Coordinators of Raffia City, Eket, Abak, Mary Jonas, KidTeens, Ibiono Ibom Book Clubs, Dr. Mrs Mercy Ukpanah and other Librarians. In continuation, we had Samuel Udoma, Iniobong Leroi, Mfon Ebebe, Helen Benedict, Nkeneke Efo, Aaron Solomon, Akaninyene Kingsley, Idongesit Nna, Abraham Sylvester and all Members of our Book Club Initiative. From Bayelsa State, Yenagoa, the host of the conference in 2024; Annette David-West, Timi Oloye, Seiyifa Koroye, Martin Ebisine, Dapo Conde and others. Several writers graced the conference and had their books displayed, including but not limited to Ini Ite Ubong, Elizabeth James, Rev. Dr. Akpabio, Uboho Bassey etc
This was not just about reading. Neither was it all about Libraries and the collaboration between book clubs. It was a festival of excellence as exemplified by the performances of different individuals and groups with an audience of invited schools and colleges.
This was for keeps, a purposeful fight to the finish against mediocrity, a bold affirmation for the D.E.A.R Philosophy of “Drop Everything And Read.”
Day Two:
2nd National Book Clubs Conference, Uyo 2022 raised its curtains with a Breakfast Library Event facilitated by the National Library Association, Akwa Ibom State with the theme: “Trends in Resources Organization for Easy Retrieval in Libraries.”
The facilitators were Prof. Felicia Etim, Dr. Mercy Ukpanah, Dr. Uduak Enang and Mr. Richard Mammah.
Next was the opening ceremony: a captivating display of culture, dance, and spoken words that roused the crowd into bouts of excited applause. Such was the mastery of young Rosebeth Cletus that she held her audience in a spellbinding oratory. With his electrifying performance, there was no doubt that the legendary ballardist and playwright, Rev. Moses Ibanga Akpabio, author of ‘EVEN ONE CHILD’ who delivered spoken words both in English and Ibibio languages, stole the hearts of everyone with his masterful delivery. And to know he is more than 80 years of age! Still agile, still adept with words, he delivered extempore!
These and many other highlights added so much colour to the Uyo Book Conference that has set a challenging standard for upcoming events, and prospective hosts.
The interactive session was a powerhouse of compelling viewpoints that will impact everyone long after the last participant has unpacked from the trip and the thrill of the excursion to Top Faith Group of Schools and University, Mkpatak, has completely taken hold of our hearts.
The conference theme: Nigerian and African Stories: How They Fare in The Global Village drew broad-based discussants from across the globe. The Panelists were, Prof. Solomon Obotetukudo, Writer/Poet Uboho Bassey, with Prof. Joe Ushie moderating in a live stream discussion with Ikhide Roland Ikheloa, Prof. Nduka Otiono who joined from US, Ogaga Ifowodo, Iquo DianAbasi, long list of the 2022 NLNG Prize for Literature, Clara Udofa from the US, Unyimeabasi Odong based in Canada, Saddiq M. Dzugoki, Farida Ladipo Ajayi, and a host of other participants via Zoom.
Contributions from the discussants ranged from the authenticity of African Stories, filtering our narratives to conform to the acceptability of a global pattern. Ideas varied across board but what became common ground was the agreement that our stories must be told, nonetheless. Publishing a good book will do nothing by itself until it is visible to the world, on the global scene, competing with other western stories.
Do writers write for economic gain/money or for personal fulfilment? Should African writers bare all – the negatives as well as the positives or should it be sugar-coated to appeal to foreign readers? These are some of the questions begging for quick answers.
Day 3:
