I will briefly tell you how the WBCC programme began. Based on the positive experience of World Book and Copyright Day, launched in 1996, UNESCO initiated the concept of World Book Capital City and nominated Madrid as the Capital for Year 2001. Following this successful experience, the General Conference adopted, on 2 November 2001, the 31 C/Resolution 29, establishing the yearly nomination of the Book Capital City.
Every year, UNESCO convenes delegates from the International Publishers Association, the International Booksellers Federation (IBF) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to grant the title of UNESCO World Book Capital to one city. The city may hold the title for one designated year, from 23 April (UNESCO World Book Day) until 22 April of the following year. During that year it undertakes to organize and run a larger number of events around books, literature and reading. The programme brings together the local and national book industries and puts books and book culture into the public eye. It attracts sponsorship and extra funding for book related institutions. The programme raises awareness for literacy and reading issues, libraries and books shops and highlights the overall benefits of a lively book culture. The title is also used to promote tourism and draw national and international attention to the literary heritage of a city and nation.
Our relationship with books determines, to a large extent, our relationship with culture. Our world needs to understand the diversity of cultures and to develop much stronger intercultural skills in the minds of every man and woman. We need these skills in order to live together in heterogeneous societies. We need them in order to address our common challenges together.
I am very pleased to note that UNESCO has received 11 applications to the “World Book Capital City 2014” and this beautiful city of Port Harcourt, representing Nigeria is among the candidate cities. Therefore Port Harcourt, which is the chief among all the Nigerian ports, is considered as the business hub of the country. Apart from being the main trading centre in Nigeria, Port Harcourt is also a great tourist destination. You know there are many tourist attractions, beautiful gardens, lakes and rivers in this city. It is famous as the Garden city of Nigeria.Now let me tell you a story about this organization run by my friend the indefatigable, outstanding and efficient lady, Mrs. Koko Kalango, founder of "Rainbow Book Club" and a lady who does not accept “NO”. The activities of Rainbow Book Club in the past few years have been very commendable with the hosting of “Get Nigeria Reading Again” project in collaboration with my Office.This project has brought at different time the likes of the former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku in 2008, the former Minister of Information, Dr. Dora Akunyili (2010) and the current Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Deizani Allison-Madueka (2011).The bid for Port Harcourt to become UNESCO World Book Capital City in 2014 by Rainbow Book Club did not come to me as a surprise. This shows the commitment from the part of the founder to bring back the book to the door step of all Nigerians as well as strengthen the national consciousness of reading in our society, a policy support that is promoted by the current government.
As the Representative of the DG of UNESCO to Nigeria and on my own behalf, I seize this opportunity to thank the Government of the River States and people and citizens of Port Harcourt for this event, the importance it deserves. I promise that I will do my utmost best to support Nigeria’s bid.
JOIN US, ALL OF US GATHERED HERE AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE, WE CAN MAKE THIS BEAUTIFUL PORT HARCOURT THE WORLD BOOK CAPITAL CITY OF 2014! THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.
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