Uyo Agog as World Literary Giants Storm City for Reading Conference, Festival

By Theophilus Akpan

As Uyo Book Club is playing host to the 2nd National Book Clubs and Reading Promoters Conference this weekend, world renowned authors, scholars, book lovers and reading enthusiasts from all walks of life are arriving the city of Uyo ahead of the conference expected to be an iconic and historic event over the weekend.

The conference, which is billed to hold in Watbridge Hotels & Suite, 11, IBB Way, Uyo, commences today as participants have already begun to arrive the city and venue for identification and registration, and will span through the weekend.

Bigwigs in global, intellectual community expected to attend the conference include, but not limited to:

1) Sur. Eddie Agema:  An outstanding Nigerian Poet and Culture Promoter

2) Sadiq Dzugogi : Poet, creative writer, teacher, and on the shortlist of the 2022 NLNG prize for literature for his work, “Your Crib, my Qibla”

3) Iquo Dianabasi: AkwaIbom born but Lagos based creative writer who was on the Longlist of the 2022 NLNG poetry prize

4) Ogaga Ifowodo: 1998 winner of PEN/ Barbara Goldsmith freedom to write award given to writers anywhere in the world who have fought courageously in the face of adversity for the right to freedom of expression

5) Nduka Otiono: Associate Professor of African Studies and English at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

6) Kate Ekanem Hannum: First Nigerian competitively chosen to represent the African Union of the Global G(irl) 20 summit in Istanbul, Turkey, Curator at Inspire Community Network foundation (Icon)

7) Prof Joe Ushie: Professor of Stylistics, Uniuyo and 2022 NLNG longlist

8) Ikhide Roland Ikheola: Chief of staff to the Board of Montgomery County public school in Rochsville Maryland, USA

9) Prof Obot Etukudoh
10) Itoro Ekpo – Manchester , UK
11) Emem Uko

Nationally, the following nobles, great thinkers, dons and intellectual barons are expected to grace the conference:

Professor Patrick Ebewo, Vice Chancellor of of Topfaith University

Prof. Felicia Etim of Federal University, Otuoeke,

Professor Aheoma Ibegwan of University of Uyo

Others include Liberty Uboho Bassey,  a writer and a poet,

Dr Udeme Nana, a Writer,
Dr Martins Akpan , a well known Doctor – Writer,
Dr Ekong Sampson, poet and writer, and a host of others upcoming poets, writers and book enthusiasts.

In the political circle, the Secretary to the  Government of the Federation, Barr. Boss Mustapha, the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and top government functionaries both in the state and federal are expected too.

According to a public affairs analyst, Osondu Ahirika;

“Uyo Book Club has given Uyo, our capital city, a new perception as an intellectual hub. To wit, Uyo has become the Pioneer BOOK CLUB City in Nigeria!”

Therefore, all dwellers, indigenes, book lovers reading enthusiasts in the state and beyond are advised to participate in this conference. It will afford one the opportunity to have an intellectual friction with global authors and big names you have been hearing about.