The three-day first Elechi Amadi Literary Prize, “Bring Back The Book Literary Conference,’ has ended in Port Harcourt with the presentation of awards to some Nigerians who have contributed immensely in education on literary works.
The eight Nigerians who received the awards include, Dr. Captain Elechi Amadi, the Nigerian renowned author and the Rivers State Chairman of the Scholarship Board, Dr. Kudo Eresia Eke, former Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Samuel Eyiba, the Rivers State commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Anthony Orubo a former representative of Bayelsa State in NDDC Board, Dr. Augusta Fubara, Principal of Government Secondary School Oromenike, Port Harcourt and Mr. Columbus Atubo Singer Irisoanga, a movie director and lecturer.
The programme took place at the Silverbird Cinema Hall, former Obi Wali Cultural Centre, Abonnema Wharf, Port Harcourt.
Declaring the ceremony open, Dr. Captain Elechi Amadi commended Mr. Stanley Edokpolo, the Coordinator of the programme, who he described as one of his former students at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, for a job well done.
According to him, his output is quite astonishing as he packaged the programme neatly. He also thanked all who contributed to the success of the ceremony.
Captain Amadi who stressed the need for a book reading culture, urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of reading, stressing that, “If you want to develop yourself, you must not run away from reading because it makes one to succeed academically”.
Dr. Captain Amadi commended the coordinator for the award bestowed on him and his colleagues.
Others who spoke at the ceremony, included Dr. Kudo Eresia Eke, Samuel Martin, Mr. Columbus Irisonaga, while commending the coordinator for a job well done, described reading as a way to success and advised the public to always cultivate the culture of reading to enhance their studies.
In a chat with journalists, Mr. Stanley Edokpolo, the coordinator of the programme, stressed that he was inspired to organize the programme because of the poor reading culture in Nigeria.
According to him, after observing that about 90% of Nigerians have not read Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe, “we have to tag our programme with the President Goodluck Bring Back The Book project which took place at Lagos in December 2010.” He said he could hardly wait till next year for his next programme which will hold on the 26th of October, 2012.
Mr. Edokpolo who urged Nigerians to cultivate the culture of reading, assured that he will continue to campaign for the reading culture to ensure that the nation becomes a reading nation.
The highlights of the ceremony were the drama presentation of Isiburu, the Women of Calabar, and Pepper Soup, plays written by Dr. Captain Elechi Amadi and cultural dances. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
