A
abujagirl
Guest
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday said that the designation of Port Harcourt as World Book Capital 2014 by UNESCO was a major achievement that had made it center of enlightenment and scholarship.
The President who was represented by his Special Assistant on Documentation, Mrs Molara Wood, made the remark in Port Harcourt at the opening ceremony of Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014.
He said, "We can all build upon it to reinforce the reading culture. It can also improve the value of getting information to the development of the thought process for humanity.’’
He commended the movers of the bid for the world book capital 2014, adding that it was a visionary endeavour that saw Port Harcourt beat 10 major cities of the world including the renowned educational city of Oxford.
He also commended the Rainbow Book Club under the guidance of Mrs Koko Kalango "who worked tirelessly towards this investiture that is clearly unprecedented in Sub-Saharan Africa".
Jonathan also commended the Rivers Government for supporting the Rainbow Book Club and making the event a success.
He said he launched the "Bring Back the Book" campaign in recognition of the importance of scholarship to the quality of youths and society shortly after assuming office as President.
"The Bring Back the Book initiative was conceived as citizens’ framework to be driven by Nigerians themselves. Port Harcourt has for many years been a pivot of book and literature center of discussion as well as melting pot for writers and artistes whose works helped enrich our lives.
"It is against this background that the Federal Government threw its support behind the Port Harcourt World Book Capital bid. It is to the glory of our collective effort that the shared golden dream of the Rainbow Book Club and the entire readership and literary community for this city, has today been realised.
Jonathan further commended the World Book Capital programme, saying that it was rich and varied and would touch every age group, especially the youths.
"It is heartening to note that the international dimension will ensure that these activities will resonate around Africa and extend to the global book world. For the first time, the shortlist for the prestigious Cane prize for African writing is being unveiled in Nigeria, right here in Port Harcourt as part of world book capital event.
"Without doubt, the writers on the Caine shortlist will number among the future torch bearers for writings from the African continent’’, the President said.
The President who was represented by his Special Assistant on Documentation, Mrs Molara Wood, made the remark in Port Harcourt at the opening ceremony of Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014.
He said, "We can all build upon it to reinforce the reading culture. It can also improve the value of getting information to the development of the thought process for humanity.’’
He commended the movers of the bid for the world book capital 2014, adding that it was a visionary endeavour that saw Port Harcourt beat 10 major cities of the world including the renowned educational city of Oxford.
He also commended the Rainbow Book Club under the guidance of Mrs Koko Kalango "who worked tirelessly towards this investiture that is clearly unprecedented in Sub-Saharan Africa".
Jonathan also commended the Rivers Government for supporting the Rainbow Book Club and making the event a success.
He said he launched the "Bring Back the Book" campaign in recognition of the importance of scholarship to the quality of youths and society shortly after assuming office as President.
"The Bring Back the Book initiative was conceived as citizens’ framework to be driven by Nigerians themselves. Port Harcourt has for many years been a pivot of book and literature center of discussion as well as melting pot for writers and artistes whose works helped enrich our lives.
"It is against this background that the Federal Government threw its support behind the Port Harcourt World Book Capital bid. It is to the glory of our collective effort that the shared golden dream of the Rainbow Book Club and the entire readership and literary community for this city, has today been realised.
Jonathan further commended the World Book Capital programme, saying that it was rich and varied and would touch every age group, especially the youths.
"It is heartening to note that the international dimension will ensure that these activities will resonate around Africa and extend to the global book world. For the first time, the shortlist for the prestigious Cane prize for African writing is being unveiled in Nigeria, right here in Port Harcourt as part of world book capital event.
"Without doubt, the writers on the Caine shortlist will number among the future torch bearers for writings from the African continent’’, the President said.