Odutola, Shehu, Osuigwe, Christopher in conversation on ‘Getting Back the Reading Groove’ February 7

By Editor

THE Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP) has outlined a strong and impactful package of activities for 2024, a statement from its spokesman, Mr. Anote Ajeluorou has disclosed. Beginning with its opening members-only ‘Meet and Greet’ session in January, activities would then build up to the 4th anniversary virtual celebration of the founding of NBRP, scheduled for February 7, 2024 @7pm. The anniversary celebration has ‘Getting Back the Reading Groove’ as theme.

Following on the heels of the anniversary celebration are the 2024 edition of the annual Lagos Book Walk event which is billed for March 7, and the flagging off of Yenagoa’s tenure as the Nigerian National Book Clubs City from April 23, 2024. Yenagoa takes up the baton from Lagos which had itself succeeded Uyo in that role.

Other activities listed in the calendar for the year 2024 include participation at the Nigerian International Book Fair (NIBF 2024) in May and Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF 2024) in November. There is also the annual crown jewel event of the association, namely the Annual General Meeting and National Conference on Reading which will hold this year in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in September.

Prof. Nkechi Christopher

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 7:00pm on a virtual (Zoom) celebration meeting, Ajeluorou will be in conversation with notable book promoters across the country who have made significant impact in the reading value chain, with the various bodies that they lead. They are the founder of Abuja Writers Forum (AWF), Dr. Emman Usman Shehu, African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AFLIA), Dr. Nkem Osuigwe, Vice President-elect of Literacy Promotion Association of Nigeria (LPAN – formerly Reading Association of Nigeria), Prof Nkechi Christopher, and Dr. Kole Odutola of the University of Florida, US.

Dr. Odutola has amassed a wealth of experience and honed specialized skills in teaching, research, communications, and advocacy. His diverse background includes roles as a creative writer, performer, university educator, photojournalist, radio host, filmmaker, and environmental activist. This multifaceted expertise equips him to adeptly respond to various demands in an organized and effective manner.

His academic journey has taken him through esteemed institutions in Africa, Europe, and the United States, where he obtained academic degrees. His educational pursuits have not been confined to a single continent; he has also engaged in specialized courses and programmes across three continents. This rich multicultural exposure has broadened his perspective and deepened his understanding of global issues and concerns. With a strong commitment to contributing meaningfully to the visions of the organizations and institutions he collaborates with, Odutola has three collections of poetry – The Poets Fled (1992), The Poet Bled (1999) and The Poet Wept (2019).

He aims to make a lasting impact on his immediate society. As an accomplished author, his book (2012) Diaspora & Imagined Nationality…, published by Carolina Academic Press, reflects his dedication to scholarly pursuits and critical discourse. He teaches Yoruba language and cultures at the University of Florida, Gainesville, US.

Dr. Emman Usman Shehu

Prof. Christopher is at the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. She is a book publishing expert and a literacy development enthusiast. She is the Vice-President/President-elect of LiPAN (Literacy Promotion Association of Nigeria, formerly Reading Association of Nigeria) and a member of the International Literacy Association. She has presented at international conferences and published in reputable journals research papers on literacy skills development, and has been involved in projects and training/conferences on reading.

Her proposals to have more teachers in public schools benefit from capacity building in the teaching of reading are receiving attention. In 2022, her consultancy was commissioned to train Oyo State primary teachers on Reading Comprehension. Moreover, since 2012 she has been executing a reading circles programme (similar to a reading club) on 200 level students (usually about 150 in number) each year to bring them to love books and reading, with remarkable outcomes.

The public is invited to join and participate in the enlightening conversation and also make input during the question and answer session.