Rivers Agog As PH Becomes World Book Capital

Port Harcourt and the entire Rivers State is now agog as the official handover ceremony of the UNESCO World Book Capital is performed today for the first time in Sub-Sahara Africa.
The ceremony, which takes place at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, will be chaired by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsaalami  Abubakar, with Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the host while Nobel Luareate, Professor Wole Soyinka will deliver the key note address.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, who briefed the press on the programme line up for the event, said that the opening ceremony will also feature presidential visit to international literature exhibition at the Atlantic Hall, Presidential Hotel and Cultural performances, amongst others.
Semenitari said that the Port Harcourt World Book Capital, which runs for one year will coincide with the expiration of the eight-year mandate of the governor in the state.
According to her, Port Harcourt is not only the first city in Sub-Sahara Africa to host the event, but the first to be named after a competitive bidding.
The Commissioner said that Governor Amaechi has been in the forefront of promoting literary activities, stressing that the annual Garden City Literary Festival has helped to revive reading culture in the State.
Semenitari solicited the support of the public to ensure the success of the event.
Meanwhile, as part of activites to mark the UNESCO PH World Book Capital 2014 opening ceremonies, a selected group of Nollywood and music stars would be reading to school children.
In the line up include veteran actors, Olu Jacobs, Patience Ozokwor, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) MI, Buma Boy, Jimi Dakolo and Waje.
The readings are part of a campaign tagged “celebrities read” aimed at using popular role models to inspire children to develop a reading culture, according to the organizers.
The readings with Nollywood and music stars, stars, which began yesterday, will continue tomorrow at the Main Banquet Hall of Hotel Presidential by 12 pm.
Also, the quartet of MI, Timi Dakolo, Buma Boy and Waje would perform the World Book Capital 2014 theme song at the handover ceremony, today.
The song, which was produced by Chocolate City Music label is derived from the World Book Capital theme, “Books, Windows To Our World Of Possibilities”.
The song hit the airwaves two weeks ago and has already proved very popular with youth across the city of PH, the organizers said.
The opening ceremonies for the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 are taking place between April 22 and 26.
Highlights of the ceremonies include an International Literature and Culture exhibition, readings with authors, drama performances and panel discussions.
The official handover ceremony takes place on the UN World Book and copyright Day- April 23.
At this event, the current holders, Bangkok will officially handover the World Book Capital to Port Harcourt.

Wife of Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi (right), Project Director, Port Harcourt World Book Capital, Koko Kalango, (2nd right), Nollywood stars, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) and Patience Ozokwor, at the Celebrity Reads session of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital ceremony at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, yesterday