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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Founder of Uyo Book Club (UBC) Dr Udeme Nana has said that preparations have been concluded to celebrate former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Obong Victor Attah’s 88th birthday colloquium at the Lord Lugard’s Hall of Watbridege hotel in Uyo.
Addressing Journalists in Uyo Akwa Ibom state capital, Nana who is the Convener of the event scheduled for 20th November,2026 said the theme of colloquium is : “Attah’s Vision on Aviation Sector” with focus on Attah’s initiative in aviation as planned when he was governor of the state between 1999 and 2007 .
” The Airport project was a game changing vision which has served Akwa Ibom, Nigerians and travellers from other countries very well’
According to Nana experts in the Aviation industry and other stakeholders who assisted the former governor Victor Attah would present goodwill messages as toast for a visioner whose development blueprints have been upheld by successive administrations in the state
” Experts who helped to midwife the vision like Captain Mfon Udom, Captain Augustine Okon, Obong Umana Okon Umana, Deacon Mike Ukpong, Obong Nkpoette Effanga, Sir Ime Inyang, Engr.Ita Awak and others have been lined up to speak on the occasion
“Since its formation, Uyo Book Club, a voluntary Non Governmental Organisation and a Community service initiative set up by Nigerian Media Scholar, Dr Udeme Nana to re – awaken and promote the culture of reading in Akwa Ibom State and beyond has inspired the setting up of several reading promotion hubs in other Cities, Schools and Streets across Akwa Ibom State”
Nana explained that the Book Club has made Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State to be recognised as the first ever Book Club city in Nigeria in 2021 and 2022 and has continued to grow.
He said the book Book Club has provided a platform for students, writers and scholars to showcase their books, discuss ideas through regular physical meetings.
“The initiative has been at the vanguard of championing a reawakening and promotion of reading culture in Akwa Ibom State , and Nigeria at large
” The Club has inspired the setting up of Book Clubs in several cities and Schools in the Akwa Ibom State
“Through monthly physical reading and book-themed events and programmes, robust virtual engagements, the Club has grown into one of Nigeria’s most prominent City Book Clubs, with an active community of over 7,000 members, reached no less than 5 million people annually, and has hosted and participated in more than 1,000 well-attended reading and book events, including the popular Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Session which brings Book enthusiasts together.
In the past, the Club has held Colloquiua to celebrate the likes of Ken Saro – Wiwa, John Pepper Clark, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Ray Ekpu and Christopher Okigbo.
He said the exploit of the Club and other ingenuities such as the annual colloquium for Obong Victor Attah necessitated the hosting of the former governor the state’s birthday
One of the creativities of Dr Nan is invention of the word ‘Digidiot’ that has been assessed for inclusion in the Collins English language Dictionary.
