We Should Celebrate Power of the Book, Says Prof. Ayakoroma.

Mr. Chijioke Amu-Nnadi.
Resident Poet,
Port Harcourt Literary Society.

A Professor in the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Dr Barclays Ayakoroma, has stressed the need to revive the dwindling interest in books and the culture of reading in Nigeria.

The author of the ground-breaking book, Trends in Nollywood, spoke on the theme: “The Power in the Book; The Power of the Book,” at the second edition of The Sit Out With Literary Minds, organized by the 1402 Book Lounge, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Prof. Ayakoroma regretted that the reading culture in Nigeria was in decline, stating that the situation was worrisome because the world was now being ruled by information. He said that it was unfortunate that the young ones in this generation were not interested in reading books.

 According to him, “most of the answers to the challenges in life can be found in books.” He, therefore, urged the youths to make it a habit to read a book everyday even with the lure of the social media. 

 The Executive Director and Founder of 1402 Book Lounge, Mrs. Annette David-West, observed that the power in the book always had a transformational effect on the society. She said that growth and development come with the appreciation of the power in the book which was why all great countries were populated by knowledgeable citizenry.

She remarked that there was need to return to the habit of reading books, especially the printed copies to help bring back the reading culture in our society. “We are set to spread the word in the book,” she declared.

The high point of The Sit Out With Literary Minds came with the performance by award-winning poet and Resident Poet of the Port Harcourt Literary Society, Mr. Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, who thrilled the audience with a dance presentation of the poem, "warrior queen", a retelling of the story and legacy of Queen Kambasa, the first female ruler of the Niger Delta region who reigned about five centuries ago in the ancient Kingdom of Grand Bonny.

Speaking after the presentation, Amu-Nnadi, the author of several collections of poems, including A River’s Journey, said it was important to sustain the essence and value of poetry in the society, noting that it would capture the situation in the Niger Delta region in proper perspective.

He said: “The Niger Delta is a beautiful place with very talented people. We are helping to tell a better story of our environment. It is a region of great history and great promise, whose best narratives can only be told by its bards, with words, in dance and music."