Celebrities to read at Garden City Literary Festival

The idea stems from the “Leaders Read” programme organised by Rainbow Book Club, organisers of the Garden City Literary Festival, which involves getting role models from different walks of life reading to children and passing on their own love of books to them. Wole Soyinka, Chief Emeka Anyaoku (former Commonwealth Secretary General), Prof Dora Akunyili […]

The idea stems from the “Leaders Read” programme organised by Rainbow Book Club, organisers of the Garden City Literary Festival, which involves getting role models from different walks of life reading to children and passing on their own love of books to them.

Wole Soyinka, Chief Emeka Anyaoku (former Commonwealth Secretary General), Prof Dora Akunyili (Minister for Information), Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke (Minister for Petroleum Resources) and Governors Amaechi and Fashola of Rivers and Lagos States respectively, are some of the dignitaries to have participated in the programme

The success of the programme so far has inspired the organisers to introduce the initiative at the festival and as part of the line-up of children’s events, two role models have signed up to be part of this unique scheme. The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr Odein Ajumogobia and the MD of Mnet Africa, Biola Alabi, will be bringing popular tales to life as they read and interact with schoolchildren.

“The organisers of GCLF 2010 are very excited about bringing these high-profile figures to the event. As with the ‘Leaders Read’ programme, it is anticipated that seeing people they look up to having fun with books will make a big impression on the children,” the organisers said in a statement.

There will also be a writing competition and Creative Arts Workshops.