… Advocates Library, Reading Culture Revival
BY RITA OYIBOKA
United States Agency for Global Media ChangeMaker Award recipient and author of the Distortion book series, Lady Ejiro Umukoro, has called for renewed commitment to reading culture in Nigeria, lamenting the shortage of functional libraries and declining literacy engagement among young people.
Umukoro made the call during the official flag-off of the Distortion World Book Day and LightRay! Festival, held at the Conference Hall, Head of Service Office, Asaba, and themed “That Which Bends, Transcends”.
The event, which convened students, government officials, associations, book lovers and other critical stakeholders, was powered by her LightRay! Media Ltd, supported by the Delta State Head of Service and endorsed by the State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, marks the first-ever World Book Day Festival in Delta State.
Speaking at the event, Umukoro described the initiative as an ambitious literary and creative platform aimed at fostering cross-cultural dialogue, amplifying underrepresented voices and positioning Nigeria’s literary ecosystem on the global stage.
She expressed concern over the poor state of public libraries in the state, noting that many facilities meant to serve as centres of learning have deteriorated over the years.
According to her, public libraries across Delta State are facing significant challenges that limit their ability to function as active hubs for learning, literary engagement and community interaction.
“Many libraries are dilapidated, poorly equipped and largely non-functional, often operating as mere storage spaces rather than vibrant centres of knowledge,” she said.
Citing a 2017/2020 Emerald Insight report, Umukoro disclosed that only 16 to 18 rural libraries across Delta State’s 25 Local Government Areas were functional, highlighting the urgent need for investment in literacy infrastructure.
“We technically have only 27 libraries in Delta State, in a state with 25 local government areas. We are already short in terms of spread. We need to get to a point where every local government has at least two significant libraries run from the ministries,” she added.
To revive reading culture, Umukoro further announced that professionals, civil servants, schools, libraries, book clubs, associations and students from both secondary and tertiary institutions would participate in various activities lined up for the festival, including competitions and workshops with cash prizes running into millions of naira.
According to her, the festival will feature a Book-a-thon initiative aimed at reviving book clubs.
Other activities include workshops and competitions designed to empower young speakers, writers, poets and performers, particularly those from underserved communities, as well as street children and students from tertiary institutions.
She added that the festival would adopt a hybrid format combining physical and digital events to showcase creative outputs to a global audience.
The three-month festival programme will be followed by nine months of post-event amplification and is expected to culminate in a major global showcase scheduled for March 2027.
Speaking at the event, the Delta State Head of Service, Dr Mininim Oseji, represented by Permanent Secretary Dr Wilson Chukwuka, emphasised the importance of reading and storytelling in shaping society.
Also speaking, President of the Asaba Literacy and Reading Club, Dr Gabriel Okonji, described books as powerful tools for shaping minds and inspiring generations, calling on all stakeholders to embrace reading not just as an academic exercise, but as a lifestyle.
Highlights of the occasion included spoken words by students and the launch of the Distortion World Book Day.
