Stakeholders task govt on reduction of book prices

The association of booksellers, bookshop owners, authors, and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s book industry have charged the government to reduce the high cost of book production to reduce out-of-school children.

The association noted that in recent times, textbooks, notebooks and other writing materials have become more expensive in the market resulting in a large number of children dropping out of schools due to the economic hardship in the country.

The association made these known, yesterday, at an inaugural awards festival organised by Angels Expression Limited, in collaboration with Binary Vision Publishers to honour outstanding performances in the book industry and recognise booksellers, including schoolteachers who have touched the lives of others positively, held at Ikeja, Lagos.

One of the leaders of the association, Eze Peter Chime, said that because of the high cost of books and hike in school fees, many children have dropped out of school.

Chime, who is one of those who received awards, said it is very dangerous for children to be at home without going to school because they are the future leaders.

“Therefore, there is an urgent need to address the high cost of books in the market and save the future of Nigerian children.”

The Director of the Curriculum Services Department, Lagos State Basic Education, Mr Abatan Damola, who also received the humanity award, commended organisers of the event, adding that it was the first of its kind where authors, booksellers and teachers were brought together under one roof to discuss the way forward in the book industry.

He explained that Angles Expression Limited is doing well as their books are been approved by the Lagos State Basic Education, adding that for one to have his/her books been approved by Lagos State Basic Education the person must have attained high level of knowledge.
He said: “I will encourage the oranisers to do more by recognising outstanding performers in Nigerian book industry because it will help in educational development in Lagos State and in Nigeria at large”.

The Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Angle Expression Limited and organiser of the event Mr. Michael Igele, who is an author, said the major challenge in Nigeria book industry is piracy.

He said if the issue of piracy can be addressed the industry will move forward and it will improve the economy country positively. “Those doing the piracy sell the books they pirated at very low price because they did not work for it and this jeopardize efforts of authors in Nigeria”.