Yemisi Izuora
It was a celebration of literary culture and journalistic excellence in Yenagoa, as leading lights of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Bayelsa State Chapter, their counterparts of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as academics and university undergraduates converged for the 5th Edition of the Book Reading Programmme organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The event featured a veteran of the pen profession and strategic communication professional, Mr. Paul C. Nwabuikwu, and his 2025 publication titled THE PAIN AND THE PROMISE: INSIGHTS AND FRAGMENTS ON NIGERIA AND PEOPLE, PUBLIC AND PERSONAL (1990-2025), with excerpts from topical chapters read and discussed in lively question and answer sessions.
In an address at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD), Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, said the Book Reading Programme was a reflection of corporate policy toward promotion of reading, learning and continuous exchange of ideas.
“Books give us the opportunity to learn from the experiences and knowledge of others, and to engage issues from different perspectives,” he explained, adding that the Board organises the quarterly event to enhance meaningful conversations with authors and thought leaders. According to him, “We bring people together to share ideas.”
The Executive Secretary pointed out that the mandate of the NCDMB extends beyond the oil and gas industry and encompasses capacity building in diverse areas as would enable citizens to contribute to national development. “We support businesses, we develop institutions; we also create opportunities for Nigerians to participate meaningfully in the energy sector; we enable thought processes, and we enable people to enhance their intellectual capacities,” he declared.
He reiterated that the Board’s commitment to human capital development “extends beyond technical and professional skills,” and that it “must continue to encourage a culture of learning.” “We must read widely, think critically,” he emphasised.
In his own remarks, the Guest Author, Mr. Nwabuikwu, explained that his craft as a newspaper columnist is informed by the need to give depth to the issues he deals with in his writing. “Journalism is the first draft of history,” he noted, adding that he finds it compelling to give depth to his analysis so readers are better informed about events.
He disclosed that his writing was largely his reaction to events of the time covered in the work (1990-2025), citing Nigeria’s costly military intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone through the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) as a particularly disturbing case to him. He pointed out that Nigeria had no gain of strategic importance. (On 25 October 1999, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that Nigeria’s total expenditure on the sponsorship of ECOMOG was US$8 billion.)
On the main title of the book, “The Pain and Promise,” he said Nigerians experience pains in many areas of their day-to-day lives but that the country still holds a lot of promise.
In response to a question by Dr. Ezeobi on the use of humour in his writing, Nwabuikwu stated that “Humour is like an escape valve,” and that “when you are writing under a military ruler who was not famous for letting his enemies escape, you have to find a way of making your point that readers are sure of what you are saying but Oga is not annoyed enough to deal with you.”
When asked how to approach creative writing, he advised, “Be yourself; don’t try to write like other people.” According to him, a writer should focus on things that interest him, “Whatever you are passionate about.”
The inaugural edition of the NCDMB Book Reading Programme was hosted by the Board in August 2024, with the Senior Vice Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, as Guest Author.
For the second edition on 25 August 2025, the Guest Author was Mr. Dayo Oketola, former Editor of The PUNCH. On 13 November 2025, the event featured King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV. On 8th April (2026), it was Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
The core objective of the Board is to promote reading culture and literacy, critical thinking, and intellectual engagement among leading published authors, academics and students, media practitioners, and the general public.