Nigeria’s History At Risk If Citizens Fail To Document It – Author
Author and former parliamentarian, Mr Orok Duke, has urged Nigerians to document their personal and collective histories to preserve national memory for future generations.
Duke made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a literary event featuring readings and the public presentation of his new works.
Newsmen reports that the event, tagged “Readings II”, featured poetry renditions, book reviews and unveiling of books.
Literary scholars, lawmakers and members of the public attended the event.
Speaking at the event, Duke said many Nigerians were failing to tell their own stories, leaving others to define their narratives.
“If the lion does not tell his own story, the story of the hunt will always celebrate the hunter,” he said.
He said failure by Nigerians to document their stories would allow others to take the glory.
He stressed the need to leave legacies through writing.
Duke also called for government intervention to revive the local publishing industry, noting that high printing costs and publishing abroad had made books unaffordable for many Nigerian students.
He recalled that bookshops were once widespread and books were cheaper, but lamented that the situation had changed.
He said the development was discouraging writers and limiting access to knowledge.
“We should give consideration to duties on importation of books and printing equipment. If you write and cannot publish, you become discouraged,” he said.
Duke said he had made electronic versions of his works available to improve accessibility.
He also advocated support for local printing to encourage a reading culture.
Earlier, reviewers at the event emphasised the importance of book reviews in promoting reading culture.
They noted that many buyers hardly read the books they purchase.
The reviewers described Duke as a prolific storyteller and thorough researcher whose works explore history, the environment, war, family and societal values.
Unveiling the books, Sen. Gershom Bassey, who represented Cross River South Senatorial District, commended the author’s talent and contribution to knowledge, describing writing as a special gift.
Also, Sen. Eteng Williams, representing Cross River Central, represented the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, at the event.
Williams said Akpabio would have loved to attend but was unavailable due to other official engagements.
He announced a donation of N10 million on behalf of the Senate President and N1 million personally in support of the literary initiative.
NAN also reports that dignitaries at the event included academics, lawmakers and literary enthusiasts, who took turns to read excerpts from the works.
The event also observed a minute’s silence in honour of colleagues and elders who died between the first reading in 2017 and the current edition.