NBFT promises affordable books, improved reading culture

To promote reading culture among Nigerians and provide a platform for all stakeholders in the book industry within and outside country to network, a non-governmental orgainsation, Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT), has concluded plans to make books and other learning materials available and affordable in the forthcoming book fair.

Speaking at a briefing ahead of the 2016 Nigeria International Book Fair, which opens Monday, May 9 at the Multi-purpose Hall C of the University of Lagos  (UNILAG), Chairman of the NBFT, Rilwanu Abdusalami, said the yearly event was aimed at promoting book trade and enhancing the reading culture among the citizenry.

Abdusalami, represented by the vice chairman of the organisation, Babs Fashanu, noted that the fair would be another window of opportunities for stakeholders in the book industry to meet, adding that participation in the fair with the title, “Book: The Untapped Entertainment Treasure in Africa,” remains free.

He added that Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, among other dignitaries are expected at the fair.

Speaking on behalf of the Book Sellers’ Association of Nigeria, Mr. Michael Adewoya, urged the nation to look inwards for a change through the use of basic education as a tool.

He urged concerned stakeholders to use the fair as a platform to promote education as the basis for industrialisation.On his part, the pioneer Executive Secretary of the NBFT and member of the Nigeria Library Board, Dr. Tunji Okegbola, advocated the promotion of indigenous languages in schools, urging teachers to encourage students to buy books written in their mother-tongue.

Citing the imperativeness of education to national development, former President of Christian Book Sellers’ Association of Nigeria and Chairman of Lase Book, Mrs. Esther Aworinde, said that reading culture should be promoted among the citizenry, as lack of knowledge hinders societal development.

NBFT, the umbrella body for major stakeholders in the Nigerian book sector, is a registered corporate entity endorsed by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Education Research and Development Council (NERDC).

The Book Fair Trust, which vision is to enhance literacy and add value to the Nigerian book and knowledge industry, also has the mission to plan, and execute educational and cognitive programmes that would promote reading culture among Nigerians.