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NBRP Reviews 2021 Reading Promotion Activities, Plans for 2022

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NBRP Reviews 2021 Reading Promotion Activities, Plans for 2022

 

By Edozie Obasi-Eze

 

The Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), after a busy year marked by a series of virtual and physical events, has taken a retrospective look into 2021 with respect to reading promotion activities in the country while recounting the milestones achieved and the foundational blocks laid for the group’s activities in 2022.

Commenting on this in a recent event in Lagos, Mr. Richard Mammah, NBRP President, said 2021 has been an eventful year for the Network what with the setbacks of the pandemic outbreak of 2020.

Richard Mammah

“We are happy that major steps were taken this year towards the growth of the group as a pivotal body for galvanising harmony among book clubs and reading promoters in Nigeria,” he said.

NBRP was born in February 2020 after a gathering of a few book lovers sparked the need to create a broad platform for organising reading promotion and advancing the course of reading in Nigeria. Since then, the group has grown into over 50 members who are representatives of reading groups, books clubs, and reading for writing groups, library custodians and enthusiasts, and so on.

Mammah said teething issues have been experienced in getting activities of the group off the ground but there has been an overall success with major annual events adopted by the group such as the Quarterly Business Meetings, the Annual Convention and General Meeting, the Book and Copyright Day to mark the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Book and Copyright Day every April, and the National Reading Week.

An audacious but necessary initiative of the group is the vision of 774 book clubs in Nigeria, in line with having at least one major book club in every local government area in Nigeria.

2021 also saw the group implementing the National Book City Initiative, taking its inspiration from the UNESCO World Book Capital initiative, which adopts one city in the world annually to serve as hub and anchor for reading promotions activities across the given year.

Localised to suit the Nigerian environment, NBRP considered the merits of consolidating book activities in one location for a whole year so as to achieve greater traction and Uyo was chosen as the first National Book Clubs City for 2021. After the group’s first annual general meeting in Uyo in September, Uyo also emerged as the National Book Clubs City for 2022 commencing from 23 April 2022 while Lagos will follow in 2023, commencing from 23 April 2023.

Meanwhile, at the Uyo AGM, the group, in collaboration of other stakeholders in attendance, drawn from the National Library of Nigeria; Nigerian Copyright Commission; Booksellers Association of Nigeria; Nigerian Publishers Association,  Librarians of Nigerian Universities; media and information managers; authors; the political class; students and the broader reading public, reviewed the current state of the reading enterprise in Nigeria, the operations of the NBRP and steps to boost the reading culture through greater exploration of public libraries, book clubs, e-books and social reading, and resolved as follows:

To amplify the continued poor appreciation of the place of reading in national development and the inadequate deployment and maintenance of infrastructure in this regard; To call attention to the imperative of an all-out drive to emplace the reading enterprise at the centre of the national development process given its notable multiplier effect across all levels and strata of national growth and achievement;

To emphasise the urgent need for value reorientation, and aggressive readership promotion to entrench the reading culture in all communities within the Nigerian Society; To secure endorsement for NBRP’s campaign towards the establishment of at least one well-kitted library and book club per local government in the country;

To demand that a Library Bill of Rights should be passed by the legislature as an instrument to provide uncompromising support for intellectual freedom and the provision of all types of libraries for all; To request that a libraries’ advocacy group comprising book clubs, stakeholders in the book trade, schools, students, parents, journalists, non-governmental organisations, donor agencies, and so on, should be formed to lobby for the continued prioritizing of libraries on the agenda of government; To reiterate that social reading should continue to be encouraged given its impact on the proper cultivation and enhancement of sound human values, peer review, and the multiplicity of constructive ideas for individual and national development; To require that stakeholders in the book trade should continue to work at improving the book value and supply chain for greater reader impact, reading culture enhancement and national development through taking steps towards the gradual restoration of the structural elements of the holistic book chain; To hold governments at all levels accountable to their social function and proper positioning of the education and culture sector in the national development process; To advocate voluntary citizens and Community initiatives and involvement in book clubs establishment and libraries management; and To urge stakeholders in the book trade to work towards the introduction of an Integrated private sector-driven National Books Distribution Company that would help address bottlenecks in the books supply chain and lead to the lowering of costs.

Hearty commendations were also extended to  His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State for his support for, and participation at the Conference and for accepting and signing up to serve as Grand Patron of Akwa Ibom Book Clubs.

A further collaborative effort was also manifested at the 23rd Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF) on 18 November 2021, when a session of the publishers’ forum held. With the theme, “Getting Books to Readers across the Country and the role of Library and Resource Centres in getting Books to Readers,” stakeholders in the book sphere including writers came together for deliberations on the way forward. At the end of the session, the following resolutions were made and, signed by Jahman Anikulapo of Committee for Relevant Art, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo of Nigerian Book Fair Trust, Chief (Hon) Uchenna Cyril Anioke of Nigerian Publishers Association, Dare Oluwatuyi of Booksellers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Nkem Osuigwu of African Libraries and Information Associations and Institutions, and Richard Mammah of NBRP:

To encourage greater collaboration and networking among players in the books ecosystem as part of a drive for a more seamless books sector and to better facilitate joint advocacy in the overall interest of all players, book industry stakeholders must be fully ready to raise their voices and make their activities more visible for all to see through enhanced public awareness and sensitization; To remind government of its role in the continued nurturing and development of the book sector,  beginning with the coming into effect of a National Book Policy within the shortest possible time; To encourage the attachment of functional and viable book clubs to all libraries in the country; To encourage governments across board, and particularly at the local government area level, to establish, maintain, staff and furnish at least one community library per LGA whose book stock must be renewed and updated annually; That going forward, libraries should be seen and regarded as more than ‘houses of books,’ but even more appropriately as ‘living community houses and centres of ideas and culture’ where unfettered dissemination and transmission of information is maximally encouraged and takes place; That government, as well as stakeholders in the book trade, should pay even greater regard to factors of ease of availability and affordability of books as a way of engendering improved readership patronage, and that in a practical sense, stakeholders should do more to facilitate the coming into being of at least one ‘National Books Distribution Company’ as a practical vehicle for lowering distribution and marketing costs within the next three years; That Publishers must take advantage of the Information Technology tools prevalent amongst the youths nowadays, to package their contents for readers across various formats (audio books, e-book, v-book, braille etc.) to encourage and promote reading amongst the youths; and That the respective associations in the book trade should continue with their ongoing engagements in respect of the restoration of the traditional book chain and invest more resources in order that we may be able to better guarantee the immediate and long-term sustainability of the books ecosystem in Nigeria.

NBRP also played a collaborative role in the United Nations SDG’s Book Clubs Reading list, which was announced on the occasion of the 2021 World Book and Copyright Day, by way of encouraging its members to sign up as ambassadors for the UN SDG’s Book Clubs African Chapter with a view to creating a reading atmosphere for the selected books in the list to get to the target audience.

“Majority of these activities are not one-off,” Mammah said, adding that “the numerous emergent initiatives, assignments and projects, most of which are collaborative with relevant stakeholders, will continue in 2022 as NBRP progresses to deepen its roots towards the overall objectives of getting books and reading into the daily culture of Nigerians.”

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Ingentia Energies Appoints New MD

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Indigenous oil and gas company, Ingentia Energies Limited, has appointed a former Shell executive, Engr Victor Agbaroji, as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

It was gathered that Agbaroji assumed office on 1 September 2026, following the completion of the tenure of the company’s interim managing director, Engr Charles Odita, who led the firm between March and August 2026.

The company disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, after a leadership transition ceremony held in Lagos.

READ ALSO: Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

Speaking during the event, Odita said his six-month tenure was productive and expressed confidence in Agbaroji’s ability to accelerate the company’s growth.

“It is my privilege today to hand over the affairs of Ingentia Energies Limited to the incoming managing director, Engr Victor Agbaroji. The company has achieved a lot within the last six months; it is our desire that the new Managing Director will take us to the next level, and I am confident that as an industry veteran, he would hit the ground running and accelerate the company’s growth trajectory,” Odita stated.

In his acceptance remarks, Agbaroji said he would consolidate the gains made under the outgoing management while focusing on safety, talent development, innovation and cost competitiveness.

“Our immediate focus is to consolidate and sustain the gains we have made. Ingentia Energies has set the pace among its peers in growing the company since the acquisition of its licence, and we intend to maintain that momentum, holding in high esteem our company’s greatest assets – people – and taking into recognition the importance of safety, talent development, innovation and cost-competitiveness. IEL will ensure that our people work safely and return home to their loved ones every day. At the same time, we will continue to develop talents, improve efficiency, embrace innovative ways of creating value, and deliver strong returns to our shareholders and stakeholders while affirming our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy aspirations, including the national target of increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day,” the new MD said.

According to the statement, Agbaroji brings more than 31 years of experience across the oil and gas value chain to the new position.

He began his professional career as a well-test engineer, gaining experience across several fields before moving to Shell as a reservoir engineer.

During his career at Shell, he held various positions covering operations engineering, corporate petroleum engineering, corporate planning and economics.

The company said he contributed to portfolio optimisation initiatives that supported the emergence of Nigeria’s indigenous marginal field operators.

Agbaroji also served as front-end development manager for major gas projects, including gas supply initiatives for fertiliser production.

At the global level, he was global operations manager for reserves reporting across the Shell Group, overseeing activities spanning Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.

He subsequently moved into Nigeria’s independent oil sector, where he brought international industry practices into indigenous operations.

Before joining Ingentia Energies, Agbaroji led technical advisory, risk management and project delivery support services for emerging energy companies.

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Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

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President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has commended the Federal Government for implementing bold and transformative economic reforms repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth, strengthening investor confidence, and accelerating the country’s economic recovery.

According to Dangote, the ongoing fiscal, monetary, and regulatory reforms have contributed significantly to improving macroeconomic stability, enhancing productivity across key sectors, increasing Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, and fostering a more resilient business environment. He noted that the positive outcomes emerging from the reform agenda underscore the importance of consistent, market-driven policies in advancing national development and economic prosperity.

“The economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government are beginning to yield tangible results. We are witnessing improved economic activity, stronger investor confidence, increased industrial productivity, and a more resilient business environment. These measures are laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity for Nigeria,” Dangote stated

READ ALSO: US-Iran Conflict Sees Oil Exceed $94

He explained that the reforms have created a more enabling operating environment for businesses, particularly large-scale manufacturing and industrial enterprises that are critical to economic diversification, job creation, foreign exchange generation, and national competitiveness. He added that government initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, promoting investment, enhancing transparency, and supporting domestic production are providing a solid framework for industrial expansion.

“We commend the Federal Government for its courage and determination in implementing reforms that are essential for economic transformation. While every reform process comes with initial challenges, the benefits are increasingly evident in stronger economic indicators, improved business confidence, and renewed investor interest in Nigeria,” he said.

Dangote further observed that the government’s favourable policy environment has supported the continued growth and efficient operation of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex, Africa’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical facility. He noted that policy measures designed to strengthen local refining capacity, reduce import dependence, improve energy security, and encourage value addition have contributed meaningfully to the refinery’s success and Nigeria’s broader economic development objectives.

“The progress being recorded at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex is closely linked to a policy environment that encourages investment, supports domestic industrialisation, and promotes self-sufficiency. These reforms are helping Nigerian businesses to plan with greater certainty, invest with confidence, and compete effectively on the global stage,” he added.

He stated that the refinery’s increasing production capacity and expanding export footprint are contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic resurgence by generating foreign exchange earnings, creating employment opportunities, strengthening local supply chains, and positioning the country as a leading energy and manufacturing hub

Reaffirming the Group’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic agenda, Dangote said Dangote Industries Limited would continue to invest in strategic sectors, drive innovation, promote industrial development, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

“Our vision has always been to support Nigeria’s economic development through transformative investments. Today, we are witnessing how the combination of private-sector commitment and decisive government policies can unlock unprecedented opportunities for national growth. The refinery, petrochemical operations, fertiliser production, and our other industrial investments are helping to build a more self-reliant, competitive, and prosperous economy,” he said.

He expressed confidence that sustained reforms, policy consistency, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would further stimulate economic growth, attract increased foreign direct investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations.

“Nigeria is on the path to becoming one of the world’s leading industrial and economic powers. With continued policy consistency, robust private-sector participation, and investment-led growth, the future of our economy is exceptionally bright,” Dangote concluded.

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Group Credits PINL with Safeguarding Environment, Farms

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A group has given kudos to the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for effective pipeline surveillance and community interventions during the recent flooding in parts of the Niger Delta.

The Niger Delta Progressive Alliance (NDPA) in a statement signed by its Convener, Nse Victor Udoh, noted that the PINL’s operational efficiency and sustained maintenance of pipeline corridors helped prevent additional environmental damage, preserve farmlands and protect aquatic ecosystems from threats associated with pipeline failures and oil spills.

According to the NDPA, annual flooding in the Niger Delta poses serious environmental risks, particularly when floodwaters come into contact with damaged pipelines, oil spills and illegal activities around oil and gas infrastructure.

The organisation noted that the recent flood season was different, as there were no reported cases of widespread oil contamination of floodwaters, dead fish or the spread of oil into farms and residential areas attributable to pipeline failures.

READ ALSO: DPRP Decries Rising Fuel Imports, Despite Strong Local Supply Capacity

It said the development underscored the importance of preventive pipeline management, stressing that effective infrastructure protection was often measured by disasters that were prevented rather than emergencies that attracted public attention.

According to the group, regular patrols, monitoring and right-of-way surveillance enabled PINL to identify and address potential threats before they escalated into major incidents.

It added that inspection, maintenance and repair activities had also contributed to maintaining the integrity of critical pipelines, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.

The NDPA further commended PINL for its interventions in flood-affected communities in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo States.

It cited the company’s restoration efforts in areas previously affected by illegal refining, as well as empowerment programmes targeting women and youths in host communities.

Udoh said the initiatives showed that corporate social responsibility should go beyond occasional charitable gestures and become part of a sustained commitment to community welfare and development.

“We commend Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, therefore, on two counts that this season has made inseparable: the efficiency of its service, tested by a flood and found equal to it, and the seriousness of its social responsibility,” he said.

He added that the group had observed that farms remained protected and waterways retained their ecological value despite the flooding.

“This season, our farms still stand where the water reached them. Our creeks still hold their life,” Udoh said.

The alliance maintained that infrastructure security and community welfare were closely linked in the Niger Delta, where pipelines pass through several communities and environmentally sensitive areas.

It urged PINL to sustain the standard, stressing that protection of critical national infrastructure, environmental preservation and improved host-community welfare should remain mutually reinforcing objectives.

The NDPA described PINL’s performance during the flood season as an example of how operational efficiency and responsible community engagement could combine to protect energy infrastructure and the environment.

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