The Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), in partnership with other literacy and reading culture advocates in Lagos and Nigeria, is embarking on a Book Walk in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
The Walk (#NBRPLagosBookWalk), a demonstration-cum-road march, is aimed at raising the consciousness of the Nigerian public, as well as that of relevant stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, on the urgent need to revive the dying reading culture in our society.
Set to commence at 7.00am WAT (GMT+1), the demonstration will take the marchers across Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, from the Ikeja Bus Stop to the Lagos State Governor’s Office at Alausa, where they will present ‘The Lagos Book Charter,’ a compendium of suggestions to boost the reading culture, to the state’s Chief Executive, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to the organisers of the #NBRPLagosBookWalk, the multifaceted motivations and objectives of the exercise – which is expected to draw people from every demographic background in the state and beyond – include the following:
– To formally launch Lagos as the Nigerian Book Club City of 2023.
– To create enhanced awareness about books and reading in our society.
– To motivate more discussions in relation to promoting books and reading.
– To encourage more people to join book and reading clubs, and encourage existing clubs to become more active.
– To stimulate increased recognition and acceptance of Nigerian writers and their products, thereby making the Nigerian book market to become more vibrant.
– To serve as a reference-point and open the door for many other book events in the succeeding years.
– To influence the establishment of more vibrant and functional community and neighbourhood libraries as well as reading spaces.
– To put the spotlight on the importance of collaboration among partner organisations in building and strengthening the Nigerian book ecosystem.
#NBRPLagosBookWalk will double as a good workout for the body, whose health even the ancient Greek philosophers acknowledged, was necessary for the health of the mind. It will also provide a good opportunity for networking among kindred spirits from disparate backgrounds and intellectual inclinations, not to mention memorable selfies. There will also be companion associated activities on social media as those who cannot join the walk physically are being encouraged to join in by participating in their own reading activities and connecting same virtually to the hub Lagos event using the hashtag: #NBRPLagosBookWalk.
The NBRP, therefore, calls on all book lovers and the general public to be part of this momentous occasion, and to join in the fight to reverse the mental atrophying of our society.
For inquiries, prospective participants are advised to please contact: info@nbrp.org.ng
The Walk is open to sponsorship and other forms of corporate participation; and prospective sponsors are urged to get in touch with the organisers.
