…asks FG to support industry
The Nigeria Book Fair Trust (NBFT) and Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) amidst COVID-19 have decided to hold the 19th Nigeria International Book Fair online from September 1 to 7, 2020.
This was contained in a release signed by the NBFT chairman, Gbadega Adedapo.
It stated that the intention is to “ignite the passion of the book industry stakeholders, open up opportunities for them beyond Nigerian shores by creating an online presence, promote books and reading culture irrespective of the threat posed by the pandemic.”
Programs will include the book fair conference where the keynote address would be delivered by Huago Setzer, President of International Publishers Association, Switzerland. Also, there will be discussions, exhibition, book sales, children programs, buying and selling of rights. It will be open to over 10,000 participants.
In a related development, the NBFT asked the federal government to support the book industry, which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement said that COVID-19 is currently presenting the book industry with enormous challenges and it needs “great help and massive support from the Federal Government. Helping the book industry’s value chain to bounce back as soon as possible is synonymous with sustaining education and literacy. It is disheartening to know that the fate of authors, publishers, printers, booksellers, librarians hangs in the balance and depends on the timely responses received from the people, but especially from the federal government.”
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
