Knowledge Between Pages: The Uyo Book Club Special World Book Day Reading Session
Books. World Book Day. Uyo Book Club. The first fueling the latter two, the latter two caused into existence by the former. So a celebration of one is a celebration for all, of all; and with World Book Club Day celebrated just days this April, it was a celebration for the Uyo Book Club too.
In 1995, the World Book (and Copyright) Day was created by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing, and copywriting, particularly targeting kids and reigniting the love of books. Uyo Book Club, since it was founded in 2015, has operated driven by ideals which align with those of the World Book Day.
Interestingly too, the Book of the Month of April 2026, “Musings of Yesteryears”, was authored by the book club’s founder, Dr. Udeme Nana, who is passionate about books and reigniting the reading culture in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Nigeria.
“Musings of Yesteryears”, expertly reviewed by the Book Reviewer of Month, Dr. Eyoh Etim, a literary scholar and lecturer, focuses on the poems inspired by the boyhood philosophical ruminations of Dr. Udeme. It examines observable societal contradictions, and theorizes on why status quos never really change. Sometimes it is playful, and sometimes it reads like one completely lost to the deepest musings.
Perhaps, even more captivating to the students of Beulah International School who joined the reading and book review session, was Dr. Eyoh’s exploration of the rich literary devices in the book. For the students, it was an opportunity to quiz and learn from one whose career is teaching good command of the English language, and communication in the said language. And quiz, they did, right on the heels of the DEAR Moment which is the Drop Everything And Read Moment where we display books to be picked and read based on interest – a book buffet like we call it.
Mrs. Itoro Ekpo was our Special Guest Reader for the Month of April, 2026. As a teacher passionate about education and community development, the World Book Day falls right in her niche. Mrs. Ekpo praised the book club initiative, commending the founder, Dr. Udeme Nana, and its members for daring to do something different – create events around reading and making reading fun.
For Engr. Pius Ebong, transiting from a virtual participant in Uyo Book Club activities to actually being physically present is one he has looked forward to for years. He particularly implored members to be strongly rooted in their culture and traditions, stating both are indices of man being a social animal.
Prof. Imoh Ukpong, a professor of Geography, insisted reading is a dying art and writing its death twin. Analogizing with Dr. Udeme Nana authoring “Musings of Yesteryears” as a youngling, he enjoined the high school students present to emulate the book club’s founder.
The World Book Day is significant in many ways. On the average Nigerians read less than 4 books per year, but by contrast, Americans and Indians read 17 and 14 books yearly.
Uyo Book Club: The Statistics
Since then the Uyo Book Club has:
- – Amassed over 5 million engagement metrics yearly;
- – Become an active community of over 4,500 members;
- – Participated in and organized about 1,030 book, reading and other literary-themed events;
- – Hosted more than 300 authors, and;
- – Had beyond 100 books published by its members.
- – Earned the award of Nigeria’s Book Club City by Nigeria’s most recognized body of book publishers.
How much is the membership fee of the Uyo Book Club? It’s free; and it’s open to book lovers beyond Uyo and Akwa Ibom’s state lines, extending to just about every continent you can list.
Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Sessions hold every last Saturday of the month at Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotels and Suites (opposite Ibom Hall), IBB Avenue, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital city.
Connecting with us is easy. On Facebook, you should interact with our activities by clicking https://www.facebook.com/uyobookclub, the visit our website by logging on to https://uyobookclub.org.
–– Kingsley Mark Akpan
More images
More images here.
