The Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria, NBRP, was in Akure, the Ondo State from Sunday 2nd July 2023 through Wednesday 5th July to participate at the 61st AGM and Conference of the NLA.
The NBRP team was led by the organisation’s Vice President and Chair of her 774 Libraries and Book Clubs Committee, Prof Felicia Edu-uwem Etim, and she was assisted by Dr. Adejumoke S. Ajibola, NLN/NBRP Coordinator, Dr. Rose Ezeibe of the University of Uyo, Dr. Abimbola Agboke of the University of Uyo, Mr. Kenneth Irenoa of the Federal University Otuoke, and Mr. Inemotimi Flint of the Niger Delta University.
The opening ceremony of the conference on Tuesday, 4th July was chaired by Princess Catherine Oladunni Odu, Secretary to the Ondo State Government. During the event, My Reading Time Book Club, Akure, on behalf of NBRP, presented a recitation and drama to portray the importance of reading. The NBRP President’s goodwill message to the conference was presented on his behalf by Prof. Etim.
Also, the conference was declared open by The Executive Governor of Ondo State, HE, Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu CON, SAN, represented by the Acting Governor and the keynote address on the theme Promoting Library Collaboration in a Changing World was delivered by Prof. Adeniran A. Adetoro of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun.
The royal father of the day, The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyimbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun declared the exhibition open.
NBRP SYMPOSIUM
The scheduled NBRP symposium on the theme ‘Reading for Improved Performance and Leisure’ took place on Wednesday, July 5 and was co- chaired by the National Librarian and CEO, National Library of Nigeria, Prof Chinwe Veronica Anunobi and the National
President of NLA, Pastor Dominic Omokaro.
The discussants were Hon Justice Bolatito Ajibade – High Court of Justice, Akure; Dr T. M. Olaleye – Ondo State Teaching Service Commission; Prince Peter K. Bamigbade – Foundation for Family Positive Orientation and Dr Adejumoke S. Ajibola – National Library of Nigeria.
The topic was exhaustively discussed and the consensus was that:
- To build the nation, reading must be the foundation.
- Future leaders must make reading a way of life.
- Reading competitions should be organised to motivate youths to read.
- Pleasure reading must be advocated to reduce stress and avert ill-health.
- Parents and teachers should show good example by reading together with their children and
students at designated reading periods and time.
- Every literate Nigerian should read from cradle to the grave.
- There was an advocacy for young writers.
- All librarians were charged to be good ambassadors of reading.
Over 500 NLA conference participants and about 20 secondary school principals participated in the symposium. ‘NBRP at a Glance’ booklets and NBRP customised bags were distributed to the discussants and the Principals of Secondary Schools present who were charged to initiate book clubs in their schools and register with NBRP for further support.
COMMISSIONING OF BOOK CLUBS
After the symposium, the party moved to the National Library of Nigeria Akure branch for the commissioning of school book clubs. At this venue, the National Librarian presented books to NBRP in support of the outreach in Akure. Twenty (20) schools presented their book clubs for
induction into NBRP. Prof Etim gave an induction speech and gifted all the students in attendance
token reading tools- pencils and sharpeners. The Sunshine Book Club of National Library of Nigeria Akure Branch was also commissioned by Prof. Anunobi.
Some of the school book clubs inducted at the event were those of St. Mick’s Catholic School, Army Comprehensive High School Akure, St. Dominics High School, Akure, C. A. C. Grammar School, Akure, Aponmu Comprehensive High School, Akponmu Akure, Baptist High School, Akure, St. Thomas Anglican High School Akure and African Church Comprehensive High School, Akure.
Others are Adu Memorial High School Akure, St. Louis Girls Grammar School Akure, Ijapo High School Akure, Aquinas College, Akure, Peace Avenue Secondary School Akure, Ijigba Community Grammar School Akure, Meghan and Shield College, Estate High School Akure, Akure High School, Akure, Girls Grammar School Akure, Seaba Model Christian College, Akure and Smiling Heroes Model School.
Overall, the event highlighted the fact that there is indeed quite significant advocacy room for reading culture promotions in the country. It was well attended and was a very good platform for NBRP and partners to step up advocacy for the establishment of new libraries and book clubs in the country.
