Port Harcourt Book Festival comes to a close

This year’s event, which is the highlight of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 programmes is dedicated to the Africa39 Project, which brings together 39 of the most promising writers under the age of 40 from sub Saharan Africa.The festival began with a formal opening ceremony and symposium with the topic, Possibilities for Nigeria […]

This year’s event, which is the highlight of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 programmes is dedicated to the Africa39 Project, which brings together 39 of the most promising writers under the age of 40 from sub Saharan Africa.
The festival began with a formal opening ceremony and symposium with the topic, Possibilities for Nigeria at 100. The event which was chaired by Prof. Joseph Ajeinka, Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt and hosted by Dr. Chidi Amuta, Chairman Board of Trustees, Port Harcourt Literary Society, began at 10am with a rendition of the Nigerian National Anthem.
The keynote address was delivered by the astute Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Nigeria. In his address titled Possibilities for Nigeria at 100: Youths as Underdogs and Misfits, Bishop Kukah said the word ‘possibility’ related to promise, potential, prospects and the future. He focused his reflections on the fate of the Youth and Nigeria in general under 10 key areas including Success, History, Values and Culture, Politics, Community, Anger and Change and Reconciliation.
Other Speakers at the opening ceremony were Mrs. Koko Kalango, Founder of the Rainbow Book Club (organizers of the annual Book Festival); Prof. Ethelbeth Nduka (representative of the Chairman, Prof. Ajeinka), Ms. Ellah Allfrey (representative from Hay Festival) who threw more light on the Africa 39 project and Mr. Stanley Kenani, one of the Africa39.
Bishop Kukah’s keynote address was closely followed by a symposium discussed by distinguished trailblazers in their respective fields. They were Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of LEAP Africa and co-founder of AACE Foods; Japhet Omojuwa, blogger, socio-economic and political commentator, ranked 29th on a list of the 100 Most Influential Black People on Digital/Social Media in April 2014; Christie Bature-Ogbeifun, author, musician, public speaker and President of Sine Qua Non; Perez Tigidam, C.E.O Arden and Newton, managers of the TouchPH.com media project and Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, This Day Newspaper and former Special Adviser on Communications to Late President Yar’Adua.
Discussions bordered on the seeming ineptitude of the Nigerian youth towards positivity and productivity, the notion that the economy and social state of the nation does not encourage stability among youths and solutions and possibilities for the youth seeking true change. It was an interactive session with the audience and was moderated by Kunle Kasumu of the Channels TV Book Club.
The deputy governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, was represented at the ceremony by Evangelist Eddy Oloko, Permanent Secretary, office of the deputy governor. Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, Honourable Commissioner for Education in Rivers State also graced the occasion. Also in attendance were notable authors including Prof. E. J. Alagoa, Capt. Elechi Amadi and Pa Gabriel Okara. 20 out of the 39 African Authors under the age of 39 who were selected as part of a Hay Festival-Port Harcourt World Book Capital project and whose works have been published in an anthology, attended the event.
Master Classes with pre-registered participants kicked off at 2pm. Mrs. Ibiai Ani, C.E.O Daisy Management Centre, Lagos, facilitated the class on Business writing while Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman Editorial Board, This Day Newspaper, facilitated the class on Non-fiction writing.
Through out the week, series of panels held featuring some of the 39 writers who were present at the festival. They visited the university of Port Harcourt and the Alliance Francaise, where they held interactive sessions with students and members of the faculty.
While at the Hotel Presidential, the venue of the festivals, they sat on numerous panels that touched on their writing, the future of literature on the continent and more.