By Japhet Alakam & Prisca Sam-Duru

The amazing number of Magazines and books that make their way into the news stand and bookshops all over Nigeria on a daily basis, makes it difficult for one to come to terms with the wide believe that the readership culture of Nigerians is poor, for if people are not reading, more writers wouldn’t come on board.

Despite the poor funding of educational institutions and inability of the government to provide an enabling environment for the much campaingned Bring Back The Book, a lot of activities took place in the literary circle. Many  books were published while book festivals and literary prizes took place in 2013 which is a sign of great improvement in the literary industry.

The high point of literature in the out gone year was the emergence of Tade Ipadeola as reigning Poet Laureate after his book, “The Sahara Testaments”, beat 200 others to win the 2013 Nigeria Prize For Literature, sponsored by the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG).

Also, US based Nigerian writer Tope Folarin won the 2013 prestigious Caine Prize for African writing. The year also saw the institution of another prize for literature by one of the telecommunication giants, Etisalat known as the pan-African Etisalat Prize in Literature devoted to the first book of fiction by a writer of African origin. Already, the longlist of nine has been announced.

One of the major events that took place was the 2013 Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF) which took place in November at Freedom Park, Lagos and it was held in memory of Africa’s literary giant, late Prof. Chinualumogu Achebe, who passed on earlier in the year. The festival, organised by the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA), which was in its 15th year, was themed “Nigeria’s Centenary: The Lagos Narrative”.

It featured mentoring sessions, festival colloquium, workshops, documentary film screening, poetry reading, book discussions and so many interesting events.

Of huge impact was the Port Harcourt Book Festival (PHBF)formerly Garden City Literary Festival which held last October. The festival provided a platform for interaction between writers, students, book enthusiasts and stakeholders in the publishing industry who were at the Garden City, venue of the Festival .

Another major event in the art and book festival, was the entry of the Ake Art and Book Festival, AABF, held at Abeaokuta. The brain child of author, Lola Shoneyin joined other heavyweights  in the Art and Book Festival to continue to bring back the book to the consciousness of Nigerians.

Ofcourse, there was also The Lagos International Book Fair held at its traditional venue of the University of Lagos, UNILAG in May. The year witnessed the launch of many new books during and outside of these festivals.

In the aspect of book presentation, one book which stirred up heated debates and criticisms. was “There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra”, authored by Late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe. More than any other book published in the history of Nigeria, Achebe’s masterpiece, was the topic of discussion during virtually every event in the country.

Other books that took the headlines were: The Accidental Public Servant, a 627 page autobiography by Nasir El Rufai; Chimamanda Adiche’s Americanah, a powerful story of love, race and identity, that elicited applause and discussions from the general public;  Kalakuta Diaries, a personal narrative and chartacters of the events that propelled and defined an African social political setting in Lagos, by Uwa Erhabor.

Also published were, Dr Evarist Nwosu’s book on leadership titled “Leadership & Developmental Issues in Nigeria: A Search for Development Strategies” ; A biography of Prof P B Ikulayo entitled, “First In Her Class” authored by Dr Olusegun Olu-Osayomi ; “Emergency Pre-hospital Care for Africa”, written by the Managing Director of Flying Doctors, Dr Ola Orekunrin.

Performance poet, Iquo Eke’s debut book, “Symphony of Becoming”, a collection of poetry which was released earlier in the year, was well received as it made the long list of the Nigeria Prize For Literature;  A Cultural and Historical Companion by Kaye Whiteman was also presented to the public in the mega city. Whiteman, a former editor of the now defunct West Africa magazine, first visited Lagos in 1964 and has reported from and about the city ever since.

Also published were,Conversations with Lamidi Fake, authored by Dr, Ohioma Pogoson and Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, presented to the public at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.Pelu

Awofeso’s newly published travel books, Tour of Duty: Journeys Around Nigeria and Sketches of Everyday Life, and Nigerian Festivals: The Famous and Not So Famous;  Indigo by Molara Wood,  Fresh Air and Other Stories by Reward Nsirim.

Despite these laudable goals recordedin 2013, the year also recorded many misfortunes in the literary angle, but that will be published later.