By Yemi Adebisi Acting Head, Literary/Arts
Cross section of registration unit in 2013 edition
It is assumed that in Africa, literacy level is going down. It was observed that the reading culture has not been encouraging as most youth engage themselves with activities on the social media and telephone.
The early reading culture, even among the adults, appears to have been affected as the passion for reading is dying off.
Since literacy is said to be the driver of economic growth, a number of organisations were set up to encourage reading. One of such bodies is the Nigeria International Book Trust (NIBT).
It is a coalition of the major stakeholders in the Nigerian Book Sector, comprising the Nigerian Publishers Association, Nigerian Book Foundation, Booksellers Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigerian Printers, Nigerian Library Association, Association of Nigerian Authors and the Association of Non-Fiction and Academic Authors of Nigeria.
Basically, the body is responsible for the planning and organisation of the annual Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF), and National Book Fairs in Abuja, Enugu and Ibadan.
The NIBF is an annual book trade and exhibition that create an effective platform for the stakeholders in the book industry, both within and outside Nigeria, to network and have business interface for the growth of their respective businesses.
The 13th edition is billed to hold from May 5 to 10, at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State.
Past editions have attracted over 160 exhibitors from Europe, America, Asia, other African Countries and across Nigeria.
The programme, as observed, has earned a lot of kudos from participants, home and abroad, especially judging by its content.
Stakeholders in the book industry have the opportunity to showcase what Nigeria has in stock in books and instructional materials.
This year, the management said new participants are expected from such countries as Turkey, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Egypt, Ghana, Botswana, Zimbabwe, among others.
Speaking recently with the Executive Secretary, NIBF, Biodun Omonubi, he described the international book fair as the biggest in Africa.
“It has become the biggest and the only book event in Nigeria to be reckoned with today in terms of participation and consistency,” he said.
According to him, there would be several programmes during the fair that will bring about human development. The theme of the year is: ‘Emergence of e-book and Survival of Physical Book in Africa’.
Since the advent of e-book in Africa, a number of authors have been agitating on what is going to be the fate of physical book. Omonubi therefore assured that the Trust has invited stakeholders and professionals to enlighten the literati on the importance of e-book and its future in Africa.
“We are reading on tablets and laptop. It is like we have abandoned the physical books. The calibre of dignitaries that are coming to grace this occasion would educate participants on the future of book in Africa. It will be an ample opportunity for most authors to learn how to also network through the newly introduced e-book policy,” he said.
He stated that there would be programmes for different categories of people, including children. For instance, the Evans Publishers will host the children on May 7, while University Press Plc will also take them up on May 8.
He said the effort made on children through this avenue is worthwhile as it prepares them for the future.
“If we can put heads together and encourage these young ones, there is brighter future for Nigeria as a nation.
“There would be cultural display, reading competition, among others, to encourage the young ones during the fair. Gifts would be distributed, including learning materials,” he said.
Reacting to the use of technological devices such as tablets by Osun State students in relation to the survival of physical books, he said, though the idea was brilliant, but the government might have underrated the consequences.
“The book refers to content and not even the book cover. The e-book is transferring of the content of physical book to electronic book. Instead of carrying physical books around, it is more potable to take your ipad or laptop, though there are some limitations. For the introduction of e-learning material in Osun State, we stated in the last book fair that government does not consider the relevance of stakeholders in book industry before they embark on their projects.
“The book industry is a wide environment. Schools, publishers, booksellers, authors, librarians, journalists and others are members of this community. They have to be involved.
“This concept is what the whole world has accepted and we also have to accept it. We need to adjust the course of our system. In Africa, where the level of literacy is low, it is not every one that can harness e-book because of the level of understanding and literacy.
“There are some steps that we have to put in place before the implementation of this system. We have to educate our people. Let the people know what the technology is all about first.
“If for instance you give a phone to a villager without tutoring him on its use, it will be as if you are performing magic. I have a feeling that some of the students that are presently benefitting on this in Osun State might have misused the opportunity by playing games on it. I don’t know if the purpose of distribution of such aids has been achieved,” he said.
Former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Jerry Agada, told Sunday Independent that e-book is not a threat to physical book.
“It is a sign of development. The world is progressing and I think we need to move too. Some of the authors that lack the knowledge of how to convert their intellectual properties to e-book can learn it to flow with the trend of development,” he said.
Omonubi also noted that the recent introduction of duty on printed materials have aggravated the challenges of stakeholders in the book industry.
“The introduction of duty on printed materials that was approved months ago is affecting the book industry directly. Like I said earlier, if government wants to take certain decisions that will affect a particular class of individual, there is nothing wrong in calling a meeting with representatives of such community ahead of their decision.
“It is so bad today that if Nigeria leaders want to sell the whole country, they may not consult Nigerians. Before now, there was a Commonwealth Treaty that prevents placing duty on printed material and that was why we could get books for N100, N200 and so on.
“Today, books are very costly. We are talking that government should help to improve reading culture. But the materials to make the books are now exorbitant.
“Stakeholders met with the Minister of Education on this issue and she promised that something would be done on it, but till now nothing has been done. Some of our members who are publishers and booksellers have started paying the duty.
“Electricity is not stable. There is no good road. Basic infrastructures are not there. To me, it is like government is out to add more salt to the injuries of Nigerians.
“Many Nigerians are very poor. When I was young, it was hard for my parents to buy two out of 10 literature textbooks for me. Many parents fall into this category. They impose 50 per cent duty fee on every printed material. This is very unrealistic,” he said.
The expected guests include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; states’ Commissioners of Technology and Education and captains of industries.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Victoria Okojie will be the keynote speaker, while Taiwo Alimi will chair the conference session.
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