Gov. Udom Emmanuel to declare 2nd book club conference, AGM open in Uyo
…Boss Mustapha, Imoabasi Jacob, Emmanuel Abraham, others attend
By Editor
UYO, the Akwa Ibom State capital will, from Thursday, 15 through Saturday, 18 September 2022 play host to the 2nd National Conference of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria. The highly anticipated book fiesta will take place at Watbridge Hotels & Suites, 11 IBB Way, Uyo and is hosted by Uyo Book Club. The opening ceremony is billed for Friday, 16 September, 2022 at the Nelson Mandela Banquet Hall, Watbridge Hotels & Suites, and will be chaired by the founder of Topfaith University, Dr. Emmanuel Abraham.
A statement from the Patron, Uyo Book Club and Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Rt Hon. (Barr.) Ekong Sampson, Ph.D, said, “Expected at the book reading festival are the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, who will declare the conference open, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Chairman of Ibom Air, Mr. Imoabasi Jacob, eminent authors, award-winning writers, eminent scholars and intellectuals, academics, book enthusiasts and publishers all of whom will form a rich strata of attendees to deepen the scope and range of the conference.
“While in Uyo, participants will enjoy the rich culture of Akwa Ibom State, our peaceful ambience and hospitality. Consequently, the Local Organizing Committee, in conjunction with the national leadership of Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria, invites the literary community, government functionaries, education stakeholders, teachers, lawyers, journalists, students, and indeed, members of the public to attend the festival.”
Writers and other cultural workers lined for Uyo 2022 include Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, Dr. Nduka Otiono, E.C. Osondu, Ikhide R. Ikheloa, and two of the shortlisted poets for The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2022, Saddiq Dzukogi and Su’eddie Vershima Agema. Others are Iquo DianaAbasi, Prof. Obot Etukudo, Kate Ekanem-Hannum, CEO/National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, founder of Uyo Book Club, Dr. Udeme Nana, and a host of others.
The theme of the conference is ‘Nigerian and African Stories: How they Fare in Global Village,’ and will have Prof. Joe Ushie moderating the conference’s panel discussion. Another important seminar at the conference is titled ‘Emerging Trends in Resources Organisation for Easy Retrieval in Libraries’, whch will have librarians like Prof. Felicia Etim, Dr. Mercy Ukpanah and Dr. Uduak Enang in conversation with NBRP President, Mr. Richard Mammah moderating.
