Network of book clubs, reading promoters hold conference

ACE librarian, Professor (Mrs.) Felicia Etim, is billed to headline the 2021 conference and Annual General Meeting of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters in Nigeria. The event is scheduled to hold from September 16 to 19, 2021 in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State.

Etim, who is the University Librarian at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, had, before now, served a similar position at the University of Uyo and was the founding Director of Akwa Ibom e-Library. She would present the keynote address at the conference.

She will speak on the conference theme, ‘The Place of Public Libraries in the Age of e-Books and Challenge of Social Reading.’

Another librarian, who will assist Prof. Etim is Dr. Nkem Osuigwe, who is the Director, Human Capacity Development and Training, African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) based in Accra, Ghana. She had previously served as the Director of, Nigerian Book Foundation and Anambra State Library Board.

She was also the Secretary and Chairperson of, Anambra State Chapter, Nigerian Library Association where she led the state to win the best chapter award consecutively for three years. She also served as Chair, Public and Community Libraries Section AfLIA, Mentor INELI-SSAf Cohort 1 & 2, and Coach AfLIA Leadership Academy, Cohort 1 & 2. She represents AfLIA on the Management Committee of the UN SDG Book Club, African Chapter.

She believes that public Libraries as the truest democratic institutions in any community have the power to transform lives as they propel the connection of people to knowledge, ideas, skills, and opportunities for better living.

Nkem is widely traveled and has many publications and conference presentations to her credit. She is married to Prof. Andy Osuigwe, a pediatric surgeon.

According to the reading promotions and books advocacy body, the event is scheduled to hold at Watbridge Hotel and would feature a conference, reading sessions, sightseeing, and performance events. Other speakers at the conference include the President of the Nigerian Publishers Association, Chief Uchenna Cyril Anioke, and the University Librarian at the University of Uyo, Professor Ahiaoma Ibegwam.

Goodwill messages are also expected from book trade organisations and lovers of books and reading.

Established in February 2020, the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters in Nigeria “has continued to position itself as a platform for galvanising disparate book club energies in the country by also engendering more activities that would be beneficial to the book sector and the country,” according to its president, Mr. Richard Mammah, who is also a writer and publisher.