US, UK, other participants for 2018 Nigeria Book Fair

The Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBTF), organizer of the annual Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF) has confirmed the readiness of participants from United States, United Kingdom, among other countries, to participate in the 2018 edition of the book fair.

In a statement signed by the NBTF Executive Secretary, Abiodun Omotubi, it was also disclosed that aside participants from US and UK, participants from Singapore, India, Turkey, Malaysia, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal and Botswana will also feature.

The statement noted that as the preparations for the 17th NIBF are getting to the climax, the foreign participants have expressed their readiness to join the Nigerian book industry stakeholders to interface and exchange ideas and information on the way forward.

“Interestingly, members of the International Publishers Association from different countries of the world will converge in Nigeria during this year’s Nigeria International Book Fair to have a workshop and gala night. This will not only boost the foreign participation at NIBF 2018, it will also open business opportunities for the stakeholders within the Nigerian book industry,” a part of the statement read.

According to the statement, the flagship of the programmes of the annual book fair, International Conference will this year focus on: Networking - A Sustainable Vehicle for Dynamism and Survival of Book Business in Africa while the conference keynote paper will be delivered by Dr. Oshiotse Andrew Okwilagwe, the Associate Professor of the Department of Library Archival and Information Studies, University of Ibadan.

“Dignitaries within and outside Nigerian book industry are expected to grace the conference which will be chaired by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The conference, which will hold on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at the Jelili Adebisi Omotola Hall (formerly Multipurpose Hall), University of Lagos is being sponsored by Repro India Limited,” the statement added.

The NBTF also explained that associations within the book industry will be organizing workshops and seminars for their members and the intending ones. It stated that the programmes will be part of the activities for the 6-day (May 7 and 12, 2018) book trade and exhibition.

“The associations include Nigerian Publishers Association, Booksellers Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Library Association, Association of Nigerian Authors, Nigerian Book Foundation and Association of Nigerian Printers. It is always free to attend the associations’ programmes during the book fair.

“The repackaged books of late Buchi Emecheta will also be launched during Nigeria International Book Fair 2018. The son of the late eminent writer, who has just opened Omenala Press in the United Kingdom, will put the book launch together and all lovers of late Buchi Emecheta are invited to attend the book launch.

“As part of the objectives of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust to promote Nigerian Arts and Culture, cocktail and cultural evening programme will be part of the book fair this year. Activities such as cultural dance, poetry, drama, etc will feature in the programme. The programme is put together to entertain and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria to the book fair exhibitors, especially the foreign ones,” the statement read.