By Gregory Austin Nwakunor
The Nigerian Centre of PEN International (PEN Nigeria) has appealed to members of the National Assembly to revisit and approve the National Book Policy (NBP), meant to take care of interest of writers/authors, publishers, editors/proof-readers, printers, marketers/distributors, booksellers, librarians and archivists, besides readers, including students and teachers.
In a statement issued and signed by its President, Folu Agoi, and Secretary, Dagga Tolar, titled, ‘New Political Dispensation In Nigeria – Writers’ Expectations’, the centre noted, “policy, which is essential for educational development, good value system, good governance and advancement of civilisation, was first submitted to the august Assembly in 2013, 10 years ago.”
The organisation said with the inauguration, on May 29, 2023, of the new regime, headed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, it “feels obligated to articulate the anxieties of over 200 million Nigerians over the palpable air of insecurity, compounded by multidimensional poverty across the length and breath of the country. In view of the rising wave of terror attacks, a trip across the country now seems to be like playing Russian roulette.”
The association of writers added: “This has made it extremely difficult for us, writers, in particular to interact physically with other members of the literary community across the country, just as many farmers now dread going to their farms because of the issue of insecurity – which is a threat to food security.”
“We appreciate the steps taken so far by our government to confront the problem, and hope the tide of terror attacks would be stemmed in no time so that citizens can begin to move freely for cultural collaboration and integration, and growth in socio-economic and other activities. We long to live in a society where everyone – government and citizens – cares about the sanctity of life, and shows respect for human dignity.”
Source: The Guardian