Article Source: Guardian
PREPARATIONS are in top gear for the seventh edition of the Port Harcourt Book Festival holding from October 20 to 25 at the Hotel Presidential, GRA, Port Harcourt. This edition is unique because it's holding in the year the city is UNESCO World Book Capital.
Sponsored by the Rivers State government and organised by the Rainbow Book Club, the book feast is one of Governor Rotimi Amaechi's enduring contributions to the development of book and reading culture in the country. It was first held in 2008, as a way to empower the youths of Rivers State and equally take them away from the streets. It was also conceived as an avenue to stem the growing trend of kidnapping in the state.
According to organisers, "it's going be another opportunity to raise the flag for readers, book enthusiasts, booksellers, publishers and other stakeholders in the book industry."
The theme for this year's book festival is, Possibilities for Nigeria at 100, and its primary focus is the youth.
At the event, the city will once again host astute, intelligent, proactive and game changing Nigerians who have been invited to speak and engage the youth in several discussions at the six-day festival.
Over the years, the festival has featured writers such as the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, the late Kofi Awoonor, Ama Atta Aidoo, J P Clark, Elechi Amadi, Gabriel Okara and their younger counterparts like Sefi Atta, Helon Habila, Adaobi Nwaubani, Zainab Jallo, Igoni Barrett, Kaine Agary and Chimeka Garricks. On this historic occasion those of them present will join us in the symbolic unveiling of our beloved city of Port Harcourt as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.
It has also had the privilege of hosting two important world figures as guests of honour - Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and the Rev. Jesse Jackson the American civil rights activist.
However, for every big name, there have been several others, not so well known, but very important young writers being groomed on this platform, who are set to take the literary world by storm.
"It is our desire that the festival will continue to be a platform for expression and exposure of writers as well as a place where all players in the book chain industry -- from readers to writers to publishers -- will be able to meet, network, exchange ideas and do business," said Festival Director, Koko Kalango.
She added, "the vision that I hope we all share for Port Harcourt is of a city where literary talent is nurtured and where reading and writing is the norm. A city where aspiring writers are encouraged to soar to new heights. A city where the writer is free."
Writers In Residence
AS part of the programmes of the Port Harcourt World book Capital project, 12 writers shortlisted from the earlier call by the Port Harcourt World Book Capital have started their residency in the serene Songhai Farms in the outskirts of the city.
The programme, which is meant to breed a new generation of creative writers, who will take the world by waves is well under way under the tutelage of seasoned writers and poets led by the international and renowned journalist, Lindsay Barrett, Adiele Onyediba (playwright and producer), Dr. Obari Gomba (poet), Dr. Eghosa Imasuen (Managing Director, Kachifo and Author), Molara Wood (Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation) and Garricks.
They are expected to draw inspiration and ideas for new works based on the theme of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014, Books- Windows to our World of Possibilities. The result of the writers in residency would be published in an anthology.
The residency is expected to foster cooperation, unity and friendship among the writers thereby encouraging national integration, enhancing exchange of ideas, skills and experience. The residence programme rounds off at the festival.
As usual, there would be writing workshops with no less an impressive collection of facilitators such as Segun Adeniyi (former Special Adviser on Communication to President YarAdua), Ibiai Ani (CEO, The Daisy Management Centre) and Promise Ogochukwu (CEO Lumina Foundation and Author).
The celebration of books
THE Port Harcourt Book Fair, one of the events of the festival, is gearing up to surpass previous editions: in scope, content and appeal. The fair is poised to present more opportunities and bigger publicity to authors, publishers and book aficionados alike.
Exhibitors can look forward to well-lit stalls with amiable ambience, a participatory crowd, networking opportunities, as numerous stakeholders from the book chain industry will be there.
Also, the festival organisers are offering exhibitors public address systems, refreshments, video, photography and branding so that they can be focused on developing activities for their event.
When motivators gather to mentor
LINED up to speak is Fela Durotoye, popularly known as FD. He is the CEO of Gem Stone Group, a motivational speaker and author of the popular book, 17 secrets of High Flying Students.
One of Nigeria's most sought after business strategists; he is widely regarded as a nation builder and corporate policy maker. In 2012, Fela broke a world record by signing 10,000 copies of his book in 8 hours 49 minutes in Lagos
Also, Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of Leap Africa, an NGO that provides leadership training for youth and small business owners and the co-founder of AACE Foods, which processes fruits and vegetables in West Africa, will speak.
With an MBA from the prestigious Harvard Business School, Ndidi has over 19 years of experience in SME development, agriculture, consulting and public policy. She serves as a director in Sahel Capital Partners, a leading advisory firm.
Chude Jideonwo, the author of, Are We the Turning Point Generation? and editor of the online magazine, Y Naija, Chude is an award winning journalist, lawyer and media entrepreneur.
The co-owner of RED media, which is responsible for 'The Future Awards, is a steadfast believer in the potential of the youth. Chude and his business partner, Adebola Williams, were named in Forbes 30 under 30: Africa's Best Young Entrepreneurs.
Japhet Omojuwa, blogger, socio-economic and political commentator, will be speaking to the young ones at the festival. He has also spoken in several universities around the world. He has also been described as a Force of Nature notably for his ability to create viral debates and campaigns on social media. Omojuwa was ranked 29th on a list of the 100 Most Influential Black People on digital/social media in April 2014 alongside Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
The author, musician and a prolific public speaker, Christie Bature Ogbeifun, is among the motivators gathered for the festival. Rev. Christie, as she is popularly called, is the president of Sine Qua Non Ministries in Port Harcourt. Through her numerous outreaches and programmes, she has brought healing to several broken homes and has helped inspire people to achieve their purpose and calling. Her TV programme, Everyday People, is currently aired in 53 nations.
Nekabari Tigidam Perez, the convener of the OpenCity Africa Ideas & Innovation Conference, with its first edition headlined by Dr Oby Ezekwesili (Former VP World Bank Africa), Tonye Cole (CEO Sahara Energy) and a host of other high profile speakers.
The creative Director of Arden & Newton Ltd, an ideas and brand strategy consultancy, Perez has about five years experience in destination branding in a digital space. His company is known to have developed Nigeria's first social engagement and digital destination marketing project.
Celebrating fresh and innovative writings in Africa
IN celebration of Port Harcourt as the UNESCO World Book Capital 2014, Hay Festival in conjunction with the Rainbow Book Club, rolled out the Africa 39 project, that aimed to celebrate 39 of the best African authors under the age of 40, who have the potential and talent to define the trends that will mark the future development in Africa.
Hay Festival is an international non-profit organisation based in Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales. They create international festivals and promote literature, education and literacy.
The '39 Project', which was first held in Bogota, the 2007 UNESCO World Book Capital, and Beirut, UNESCO World Book Capital 2010 will be gracing book festival.
The African 39 writers are: Rotimi Babatunde, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Mohamed Yunus Rafiq, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Chibundu Onuzo, Chika Unigwe, Budesta Jackee Batanda, Linda Musita, Lola Shoneyin, Monica Arac de Nyeko, Carla Namwali Serpell, Nana Brew-Hammond, Nii Parkes, Novuyo Rosa Tshuma, Okwiri Oduor, Ondjaki, Sifiso Mzobe, Stanley Onjezani Kenani, Tope Folarin, Recaredo Silebo Boturu, Stanley Alfred Gazemba, Ukamaka Olisakwe, Zukiswa Wanner, Shadreck Stephen Chikoti, Hawa Jande Golakai, Richard Ali Mutu, Shafinaaz Hassim, Igonibo Barrett, Dinaw Mamush Mengestu, Glaydah Namukasa, Clifton Antony Gachagua. Edwige Dro, Eileen Almeida Barbosa, Kioko Ndinda, Mehul Gohil, Nadifa Mohamed, Nthikeng Mohlele, Taiye Selasi, Mary Watson, have been invited and are expected to be at the festival.
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