The Nation Newspaper

Tag: books

  • CEPTAC donates tourism books to varsity

    CEPTAC donates tourism books to varsity

    THE Centre for the Promotion of Peace, Tourism, Art and Culture (CEPTAC) has donated tourism and historical books to the Ignatius Ajupu University of Education  ( formerly Rivers State University of Education), Port Harcourt. Among the books donated to the school were: Memories of the Niger Delta Slave Trade Routes and Towards the Culture of Peace in the Niger Delta.

    In his speech while presenting the books to the vice-chancellor of the school, Professor Rosemond Dienye Green Osahogulu, the president of the CEPTAC, Chief Amachree, said the NGO decided to present the books to the school to avail the youths the opportunity to know more the history and culture of their fatherland and their root, to remind them of the trans-atlantic slave trade era where their ancestors were sold as slaves by the Europeans through Bonny Island, Calabar, Akassa and Badagry ports and to resurrect the reading habit of youths, especially now that Port Hacourt has been designated as the World Book Capital for 2014.

    On the activities of the CEPTAC, Amachree said: “The NGO has produced three books since its inception. He said the NGO organized the first cultural carnival in Abuja; the second River State Cultural carnival tagged RIVCAM’92 in Port Harcourt. In addition, it has also organized on peace and tourism.”

    He called on students to develop their skills for them to contribute to nation-building, especially in the area of tourism, since tourism is the largest employer of labour in the world.

    Amachree used the opportunity to call of different tiers of government and other organizations to introduce holiday packages for their workers as this will help in creating greater awareness on tourism and its importance.

    He congratulated the university’s vice-chancellor for being the first female vice- chancellor in River State.

    In her response, Professor Osahogulu thanked the CEPTAC for the kind gesture. He said that on her assumption of office, students’ reading habit was at a low ebb. She said she organized several academic activities to change the trend. She thanked Chief Amachree for the kind gesture, noting that the books would further enhance the reading culture among students.

    Also speaking on the occasion, Professor Emeritus Ebiegberi Joe Alagoa of the University of Port Harcourt, said the CEPTAC will continue to contribute to the  development of cultural heritage of the Niger Delta.

  • Copyright Commission seizes pirated books

    Operatives of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), have confiscated about 250,000 copies of pirated books in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

    The books, worth about N10 million, were seized during a raid on some bookshops in the Mile 1, Rumuigbo and Rumuokoro areas of Port Harcourt.

    The Commission, it was learnt, swung into action following petitions it received from some publishers in the country alleging that their books were been pirated and sold in Port Harcourt and Aba, Abia State.

    During the raid, two bookshop owners suspected to be dealers in pirated books were arrested, while others took to their heels on sighting the operatives.

    One of those arrested said he was unaware that the books supplied to him were pirated, while the other who denied selling pirated books, claimed his stock was directly from the publishers.

    However, he was unable to produce his receipt for the purchase when asked to do so.

    NCC Director of Enforcement, Austin Amadu, said six areas in Port Harcourt were marked as major spots where pirated books are sold.

    “We have seized works worth N9million to N10 million, and we have gone to shops that are selling pirated works up to five, six or seven shops,” Amadu said.

    He warned book dealers to desist from selling pirated books because it was a criminal act. According to him, such fraudulent act deprives authors and publishers of rewards from their intellectual works.

    “The NCC is warning those who engage in this illicit business to desist from it henceforth. We will come heavily on those that have engaged in piracy,” he said.

  • Books add values to our lives, says Oyedepo

    Books add values to our lives, says Oyedepo

    When potentials in books are fully explored and applied, they bring value to the lives and work of the reader, the Chancellor, Covenant University (CU) Bishop David Oyedepo has said.

    He spoke at the opening of a three-day conference on “Leadership and innovation: Cutting edge practices for the 21st Century librarian”, organised by the CU’s Africa Leadership Development Centre (ALDC) in collaboration with Ifegrace Ventures Ltd.

    Dr Oyedepo said information is powerful and people must realise they need it for development.

    He said: “We cannot get transformation without information and any country that has not prepared for knowledge is going down the drain.”

    Library, the cleric said, is very important to help any country get to where she aims, adding that knowledge and information are equally vital element for national development.

    “This assertion therefore places huge responsibilities on this professional base of librarianship,” he further noted.

    The cleric said libraries are the repositories of books and other information-bearing materials which in turn make them repositories of knowledge and information, therefore making crucial the quality of leadership of such platform.

    “This is made even more vital in our environment with the concerns expressed in various quarters in our nation, with respect to the grind down in reading culture in our schools and among our youths. It appears that we may in some contexts have earned a reputation for our poor disposition and unwillingness to explore the content of books,” he said.

    According to him, the theme of the conference is at the centre of university’s visionary mandate, both as a university and a centre where new generation of leaders are being raised with the primary aim of driving transformation on various platforms.

    Director of the Centre, Prof Aize Obayan said the occasion was designed to inspire stakeholders to search for more effective learning and personal development approaches for growth with a clear objective of enhancing the capacity and knowledge base of key players in the professional context of libraries.

    “Our expectation is that with the pedigree of men and women represented here, the outcome of this conference will provide unparalleled opportunities for delegates to rub minds together to determine directions for change as existing paradigms are reassessed for relevance while consolidating on best practices as we jointly identify new frontiers that we must traverse,” she added.

    Topics that were discussed included: Leadership and vision building, by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tomrald Consulting Ltd. Lagos, Mrs Gloria Ita Kpeme; Building and Sustaining High Performance Teams in libraries, by the President West Africa Library Association, Dr James Daniel; and Leadership, Information and Change Management by the founder, Leadership Academy, Abeokuta, Biodun Fijabi.

    Other were:  Leadership Imperatives and the Challenges of the Digital Divide, by the President Nigerian Library Association, Dr Rilwanu Abdulsalam; Managing ICT-driven Libraries: Critical Leadership Issues by the CU Director, Centre for Learning Resources, Dr Chris Nikiko; and Leadership Imperatives in Creating and Sustaining Digital Institutional Repositories, by the Head of Department, Computers and Information Science, CU, Dr Nicholas Omeregbe.

  • Council distributes free school uniforms, books

    The Chairman of Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Maj. Olafimihan Akerejola (rtd.), has distributed free school uniforms, over 70, 000 textbooks and other instructional materials to pupils and other students across the area.

    During the presentation, which coincided with a thank you visit to the area by the Kogi State Governor Idris Wada, Akerejola also announced the commencement of payment of bursary to students in tertiary institutions in the area.

    Students studying engineering, law and medicine received N10, 000 each, while N5, 000 each is given to students in other disciplines.

    During the occasion, which had in attendance former Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria and Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, Akerejola said the importance his administration attached to education informed its decision to embark on the gesture.

    His words: “Education from time immemorial has been the industry our people are known for. The prowess of our people in the field of education is universally acknowledged judging by the high number of intellectuals and academics from the local government area scattered around the globe. This is the more reason we cannot afford to toil with the sector.

    “Also, we undertook the renovation of 12-classroom and the administrative block at the Community Comprehensive High School, Ogori, to create a more conducive teaching and learning atmosphere in the school.”

    Wada, who performed the official tape cutting of the building, called on the council not to relent in its efforts at ensuring a better future for children of school age.

     

  • Where have the books gone?

    SIR: There’s a popular saying that readers are leaders.  Well, if this saying is anything to go by, Africa will be out of leaders in a few years. One might want to argue, I mean, people read a lot, thanks to the internet. This may true, but how exactly are we reading?  According to a research study done by Dr Fayaz Ahmad Loan in his paper, ‘Impact of the Internet surfing on reading practices and choices’, he explains that the internet has encouraged interactive reading and superficial reading but is also responsible for decreasing concentrated and in-depth reading. Superficial reading doesn’t allow the reader to be impacted by the material he or she is reading, unlike in-depth reading.

    The benefits of in-depth reading cannot be over-emphasized.  An avid reader myself, the impact of reading on my vocabulary, perspective and personality is evident. Our foremost need in Africa is not more money, more jobs, etc, but more readers. Reading broadens our horizons and allows us think outside that box we ever so often place ourselves in. This is what we need in Africa; broader horizons.

    Of course, there have been several campaigns aimed at revitalizing the reading culture in Africa, but even these campaigns have gradually slowed down due to many reasons, such as little or no financial support, public apathy or even lack of motivation to complete these projects. An example of this would be the Bring Back the Book campaign that was launched by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, a project that started with so much drive and zest but is now nearly comatose. What hope does this give our leaders of tomorrow?

    The likes of Chimamanda Adichie, Wole Soyinka and late Chinua Achebe who we so much celebrate today were definitely book readers now turned successful book writers. It doesn’t matter your background, age or status, reading can make a huge difference in your life. In the words of Gustave Flaubert, a French novelist, ‘Read in order to live’.

     

    • Olafisoye Oluwademilade,

    Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State

  • Corps member gives volley ball, books to school

    In her quest to impact on her host community, Chinenye Amanonye, a corps member serving in Owerri, Imo State, has built a volleyball court to Urban Development Secondary School, Owerri.

    At the ceremony where the facility was unveiled, Chinenye also donated books to the school library. The event was witnessed by Head of Community Development Service (CDS), represented by Local Government Inspector,  Mrs Benedicta Abboh,  Vice Principal, Mrs Mgbe Ahuru,  teachers, corps members and students.

    Chinenye said the objectives of the project was to develop the talent of the pupils in sport.

    Mrs Mgbeahuru praised the corps member for the gesture, urging other youths serving in the community to emulate the gesture.  She noted that the volleyball court would benefit the pupils and improve sporting activities in the school.

    She recommended that the state and the Federal Governments should honour the corps member for keeping the core values of the NYSC scheme alive. She advised the pupils to emulate the corps member and study hard to become graduates and impact their communities.

    The local government officials praised the corps member for the projects, appreciating the school management for their support to the corps member.  The highpoint was the commissioning of the 19×9m standard volleyball court.

    Copies of a novel, The Rising Sun, which was written by the corps member, was donated to the school.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Chinenye said she was motivated with what she saw around her and the leadership potential she has, urging other corps members to make impact in their host communities.

    Matthew, a SSS 2 pupil, who spoke on behalf of the students, appreciated the corps member.

  • Monarch donates books to schools

    Monarch donates books to schools

    The traditional ruler of Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, Eze Chukwuemeka Iluno has distributed a 40-ft container load of books to 18 primary schools and six secondary schools in the council area.

    The books are in different subject areas including mathematics, history, reference and science books were obtained from a foreign publishing giant, ‘Book for Africa’ in Atlanta, United States of America.

    Iluno explained that the books were shipped from US to Nigeria at the cost of over N3 million. Such gesture, he argued, is the one of the ways to curb crime in the society.

    Eze Ilouno said his motivation is hinged on the reality that most problems faced in the area can only be traced to ignorance, adding “the more educated one is, the more knowledgeable he becomes and the more one can cope with life challenges.”

    “We are trying to re-educate our people to realise the importance of education. I also realise that most young men in Igbo land don’t want to enroll in school anymore because they want quick money.

    “I want to make Ifitedunu better than I met it by making it the best community in Anambra State. I am right now building a computer laboratory at Nneamaka Secondary School and library for another school in the town to promote reading culture. I am also building a school hostel for another school here. The design is what you can find in any modest structure,” he said

    He expressed worry over poor reading culture in Nigeria, stressing that the only solution is to make education affordable to Nigerians.

    The books were commissioned by the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Oseloka Obaze. Others in Obaze’s company were the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Tony Onyima and his wife, the council chairman, Sir Chukwudi Okeke, among others.

    Responding, Governor Obiano praised the monarch and reinstated his administration’s commitment to ridding the state of criminals, noting that the determination is to prepare ground for foreign investors.

    On his part, the Chairman, Dunukofia Local Government Area, Sir Chukwudi Okeke, said that the council would ensure the selected schools get the books and use them. He lauded the monarch’s gesture as a way of encouraging children and parents.

    The President-General of Ifitedunu Town Union, Prince Nezieanya Obinabo said:”What Igwe has done is a manifestation of his interest in education which is in tandem with what the state government has been doing. Governor Obi invested much in education and that investment is continuing with Gov. Obiano’s administration, which is today spreading across the state”.

    Two beneficiary schools Solid Case Montessori International School, Umuanugo Ifitedunu, and Arch Angel Secondary School, Ifitedunu, led by their Proprietress and Manager Mrs Uju Louis and Rev. Fr. Christopher Ezeibe thanked the monarch.

     

  • Stakeholders anticipate slash in duty on books

    •13 countries for book fair

    As the Federal Government works towards removing the 50 per cent duties imposed on imported books, the Chairman of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT), Mr Samuel Kolawole, has expressed optimism that reading materials would become cheaper in Nigeria.

    Speaking last Thursday at a briefing ahead of the 13th edition of the Nigerian International Book Fair (NIBF) which holds for five days next week at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Kolawole said the policy has made books unavailable and more expensive.

    “Tertiary books are mostly not printed in Nigeria.  When the duty is high, you are making the books less accessible because it becomes more expensive thus less people can afford to buy.  We believe the government is responding positively to this issue and we believe the problem will be solved soon.  We had a meeting with the Ministry of Finance where the issue was adddressed.  It is part of our efforts to influence policy,” he said.

    On his part, the Executive Secretary of the NBFT, Mr Abiodun Omotubi, urged stakeholders to tackle negative policies that hinder literacy.

    “The task of enhancing literacy is a daunting one which all and sundry in the country must not shy away from.  Government in every tier must see the task as a priority because literacy is a driver of economic growth and development.  Policies that will hamper the enhancement of literacy and become disincentive to investment for stakeholders in the book industry should be ignored by the government,” he said.

    For the book fair next week, Kolawole said International publishers, booksellers and printers from 13 countries within and outside Africa will join indigenous stakeholders in the book industry to participate in the fair, which he said has grown to be the biggest and most consistent in Africa.

    Kolawole said that Sweden, Pakistan and Egypt will be participating for the first time.

    Other countries are: United Kingdom, Malaysia, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Cameroun, Botswana and Ghana.

    The Emergence of the E-Book and the Survival of Physical Book in Africa will be the focus of an international conference which will feature as part of the fair.  Dr Victoria Okojie, Registrar/CEO, Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), is to deliver the keynote address at the conference, which will be chaired by Mr Akin Olajide, former Managing Director, University Press Plc.

    Apart from book exhibition, the fair will also feature workshops for librarians, teachers, authors, as well as children’s programmes, seminars and the like and provide platform to forge business ties.

    With all the activities planned for the fair, Kolawole said the opportunities it will throw up for the development of literacy in Nigeria will be many and beneficial.

    “The annual NIBF is a platform for the players in the book industry locally and in foreign countries to network and access the latest titles in the book world.  Authors, printers and publishers of books in Nigerian market will be part of NIBF 2014.  Users of books and other instructional materials will not be left out,” he said.

  • Lawmaker distributes kits to SSCE pupils

    Lawmaker distributes kits to SSCE pupils

    No fewer than 1,035 pupils from seven secondary schools in Oshodi, Lagos have benefitted from the past questions on English Language and Mathematics from 2008 to 2013 distributed by Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1.

    The distribution, which would help the SS3 pupils prepare for the 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) starting this week, took place at Ikeja Senior Grammar School Hall in Oshodi.

    The schools are Bolade Senior Grammar School, Oshodi, Ewutuntun Senior Grammar School, Ewutuntun, Ikeja Senior Grammar School Oshodi, Oshodi, Comprehensive Senior High School, Oshodi, Oshodi Senior High School, Oshodi, Mafoluku Senior Grammar School, Mafoluku and Unity Senior High School, Oshodi.

    Hon Akinderu-Fatai, popularly called MAF charged the pupils to live up to expectation in the examination.

    “You are the hope of your parents. Remember they toil day and night to make you something worthwhile in life. You cannot afford to disappoint them; you should not allow their efforts to be in vain, so work hard and make them happy,” he said.

    Akinderu-Fatai, who chairs the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, told them to work hard to record good grades in the examination.

    “Success is not a thing you find on a platter of gold, you have to dig deep like gold miners; make sure you make good use of opportunity at your disposal by passing your exams with grades, good enough to qualify you for higher institution,” he said.

    Addressing the pupils, the lawmaker asked: “You all love to be president, governor, minister, lawmaker, architect, engineer and other big entrepreneurs in the society?” and they replied with a resounding “Yes.”

    “Then, face your studies; engage more in your books and not phones; watch more of educational programmes on televisions and not movies; stay focused and not distracted with evil things around and success will be yours,” he said.

    A new book on enterpreneurship titled: Johnny Profit written by Michael Malgeri with an introduction by Akinderu-Fatai was presented at the event. MAF will be using the book to pupils in public schools in Oshodi.

  • Firm donates N5 million books to varsity

    Havilah Merchants Nigeria Limited has donated books worth over N5m to the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, as part of its corporate social responsibility.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Asuzu, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof Christian Bolu, commended the firm for contributing to the development of the university.

    The Managing Director of the company, Ogbeni ‘Lanre Adesuyi, thanked God for making the donation possible. He said the university, since inception, has made steady progress in infrastructural development and academic pursuit.

    He said the concept of communal growth meant that every little contribution would fill a vacuum in the hierarchy of needs, adding that it is through sincerity of purpose and the determination to succeed that would make the institution to realise its objectives.

    He called on stakeholders to rise to the occasion and change the fortunes of the university.

    The University Librarian, Mr Michael Afolabi, while receiving the books on behalf of the university, thanked the donor for the gesture. He promised that the books would go a long way in improving the university’s book- related needs. He said a well- equipped library was a sine qua non for a good university.

    Prof Bolu thanked the firm for the donation, saying that a recent world universities ranking had placed FUOYE at 10, 760 in the world, 209 in Africa and 27 in Nigeria, a development which made university number one among the 12 new universities in Nigeria.

    The event was attended by the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju, principal officers of the university and other dignitaries.