Ex-lawmaker warns high publishing costs threaten reading culture

Former Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Orok Otu Duke, has warned that rising publishing costs and expensive imported books are threatening Nigeria’s reading culture.

He urged the Federal Government to reduce import duties on books and printing equipment.

Duke, who represented Calabar 1 State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly between 1992 and 1993, made the call in Abuja on Thursday during the second edition of a literary event tagged Readings II, where five of his books were presented to the public.

He said the high cost of printing and publishing books outside Nigeria, coupled with import duties on books and printing materials, had made reading increasingly unaffordable for students and discouraged aspiring writers.

Duke who currently serves as a Commissioner representing Cross Rivers at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said publishing a book outside the country could cost at least $20 per copy.

He described the price as beyond the reach of many Nigerian students, particularly those expected to read several books as part of their education.

“I would like to say that for you to have your works printed outside the country, published outside the country, you will be talking about a minimum of maybe $20 a book. And our children, those in school here, may not be able to afford those books,” he said.

He lamented the disappearance of bookshops that once made publications readily available, recalling the Ife and Abiola bookshops as examples of outlets that helped promote affordable reading materials.

“Once upon a time, when we had the Ife and Abiola bookshops, books were cheaper. More books were published. And now you can hardly find all these old books in good quantity within the country,” he said.

He urged the government to consider removing or reducing duties on imported books and printing equipment, arguing that the intervention would help revive indigenous publishing companies, improve access to knowledge and encourage writers.

“If you write and cannot publish, you become discouraged. Only a few of us can write and get published and then move on this way,” he said.

The author also disclosed that he had made electronic versions of his publications available to improve access, noting that readers could find his works online and download them in naira.

He said government support was particularly necessary to enable schools and libraries acquire books without spending prohibitive amounts.

Beyond the publishing industry, Duke called on Nigerians to document their personal and collective histories, warning that failure to preserve their experiences would allow others to determine how their stories were told.

He said the five books, which explore different aspects of history and society, including the Nigerian Civil War and the experiences of communities in the South-South, were part of his effort to preserve accounts that might otherwise be lost.

“So it is simple as, if you don’t tell your story, another person will take the glory. It’s bad enough that we don’t tell our stories. So the stories about our collective hunt will always be written by another person,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to embrace writing as a way of preserving their experiences and leaving legacies for future generations.

Duke explained that his decision to write largely in English was informed by the need to make his works accessible to a wider audience beyond his immediate cultural and linguistic environment.

He said while indigenous languages remained important, writers seeking to introduce their communities, experiences and worldviews to a wider international audience should also consider languages with broader readership.

“There are some stories you tell that are in your native language. And if you actually want more people to read and have a worldview of what your people think and do, then you should choose a universal language. So, I’ve chosen English,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience at the 2014 National Conference, where he represented the Niger Delta region, Duke said he was encouraged to write a poem daily during the conference.

He explained that several of the poems were written to commemorate colleagues and elders who died between the first public reading of his works in 2017 and the latest edition.

Duke also cited the United States Library of Congress as an example of an institution that recognises the importance of preserving written works for posterity, saying Nigerians should take documentation and archiving more seriously.

Earlier, an official delegate to the 2014 National Conference representing civil society organisations, particularly Basic Rights Action, Kano, Mallam Nasir Kura stressed the historical and cultural importance of the books.

Kura said the publications offered an opportunity to document not only the Nigerian Civil War but also the rich culture, traditions and lifestyles of people in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

He described the gathering as an opportunity to promote unity and harmony, noting that the historical experiences of communities should be preserved and made accessible to future generations.

He urged participants to obtain copies of the books for themselves, their families, schools and libraries, while calling for generous support for the author to encourage further literary contributions.

Kura also described the presentation as the second edition of the public reading of Duke’s works, expressing optimism that subsequent editions would sustain interest in literature and reading.

Earlier reviewers at the event described Duke as a prolific storyteller and thorough researcher whose writings explore history, the environment, war, family and societal values.

They also expressed concern that many people bought books without necessarily reading them, urging Nigerians to develop a stronger reading culture.

Unveiling the books, Senator Gershom Bassey, who represented Cross River South Senatorial District, commended Duke’s talent and contribution to knowledge, describing writing as a special gift.

Senator Eteng Williams, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, attended on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Williams announced a donation of N10 million on behalf of the Senate President and an additional N1 million personal contribution towards supporting the literary initiative.

The event attracted academics, lawmakers, literary enthusiasts and other dignitaries, who read excerpts from the books.