Academic to raise intellectual bar through book club in A’Ibom

Joseph Atainyang, Uyo

A renowned academic and media professional, Dr Udeme Nana has vowed to raise the intellectual bar of both indigenes and residents of Akwa Ibom State, to bequeath a more civilized and prosperous future for the next generation.

He says constant ties with books offer unsurpassed inspiration, foresight and refreshing ideas that berth the capacity to rule the world.

The founder of the Uyo Book Club, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent on Sunday stated that “Eket has joined the loop of Book Club cities in Akwa Ibom State with the establishment of Eket Book Club.”

He informed that the Eket Book Club would be co-ordinated by the Publisher of The Ink Portal Newspaper, Mr Nsibiet John, who would be deputized by the Author of “More Than Just a Girl,” Miss Ndueso Young.

According to Nana, the milestone is a dream come true, adding that it is an appealing ‘boon to lovers of books and those interested in the movement to re-awaken the culture of reading among Akwa Ibom people.

The mass communications scholar and former Chief Press Secretary to both governors Victor Attah and Godswill Akpabio, had long envisioned an establishment of Book Clubs all over the state.

His idea had been to assemble book lovers, incubate them and then accelerate their reading cultural with a view to instituting a conventional reading life among Akwa Ibom residents.

He said: “Reading refines the sensibilities of people and enables such people to contribute more meaningfully to the development of society.

“I set up Uyo Book Club in my house in 2015. It grew into an important intellectual hub in the state capital and now regularly meets in Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo.

“In May this year, I set up The Raffia City Book Club in Ikot Ekpene. The Club is hosted at The Esu Centre and today, by the grace of God, I have established the Eket Book Club which promises to become another exciting hub,” he said.

Nana expressed confidence in the stewardship of the coordinators, describing the duo as pillars who have the magic wand to transform ‘Idung mfia anwe’ (city of white men) to a place of knowledge.