By Aluu Vincent

Uyo Book Club, a leading intellectual hub in the country has urged Nigerians to adopt a DEAR moment in their homes as part of efforts to reawaken reading culture among Nigerians. The founder of the Club, Dr. Udeme Nana disclosed this on Saturday, January 29 2022 at Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotel during the January Edition of Uyo Book Club while welcoming members to the first meeting for 2022.

Providing insight into to the meaning of the acronym 'DEAR', Dr Nana explained that DEAR stands for "DROP EVERYTHING AND READ" adding that the moment should be a period where individuals and family members should Drop Everything And Read. Dr Nana said it was a quiet and special moment for individuals and households to gather, dedicate a period of time just to read books, or any writing. He noted that when people read, they will become enlightened and better informed to make contributions to the development of their society. The former Media Adviser to Governor Attah highlighted that the sensibilities of people who read widely will be refined.
The 'DEAR' MOMENT will also create an avenue for bonding among family members, he said.

The Media Scholar likened the special moment to a time when families drop everything they do to pray, eat or sleep. People who embrace this idea will be transformed sustainably, Dr. Nana emphasized.

He maintained that things will change in Nigeria for the better while a mental and attitudinal revolution will take place when families include a time for reading in their daily routines. He added that during the 'DEAR' moment, one will be amazed at what can be learned as the mental faculty will be opened to fresh ideas and innovations will take place.

While addressing the gathering, Dr. Martins Akpan, a medical doctor cum cerebral writer appreciated club members for finding time to attend the reading exercise. “Reading maketh a man. That is why it is often said that readers are leaders. You can do nothing without books. Reading is one of the most serious things anybody can do. As a Medical Doctor, I interact with my patients through word as a form of cure. Some of them come to me for drugs but I present words to them and they become okay” Dr Martins said.

Also speaking , Professor Joseph Ushie, Dean Faculty of Arts University of Uyo, said that reading is to humans what blood is to the body. He said that William Shakespeare was born on April 1564 and died in April 1616 hence lived for 52 years. “If you ask an average English man who the richest man is, he may not know but William Shakespeare still live in the hearts of almost everyone in the world through his writings and poetic works. This is to tell you how important reading is to human life” Ushie said. Prof. Ushie maintained that words are therapeutic in nature and has the potency to heal and make whole when rightly applied. According to the former Chairman of National Association of Nigerian Authors Akwa Ibom State, “When people gather to read, brains are opened up to gather more wisdom, ideas and innovations are birthed that can lead to development”. He introduced a new word LOGOS-THERAPY into the English vocabulary meaning the use of words to cure patients .

The Patron of Uyo Book Club and former Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ekong Sampson PhD, underscored the importance of Books and reading in the life of any nation. Ekong Sampson popularly referred to as the Encyclopedia by admirers, noted that writers have a duty to draw the attention of government and the public to wrongs and inadequacies that needs attention. He cited the ugly trend of gradual return of military rule in Africa as unacceptable and remains a recurring decimal and rape to democracy. “The happenings in Mali and lately Burkina Faso reminds us of Anthill of the Savannah and a Man of the people by late Professor Chinua Achebe. There can never be a substitute to democracy. Since Writers blossom in democracy, they have a duty to write and condemn the subtle comeback to power by Men in Khaki uniform. There should be immediate restoration to democracy in affected countries. The right to freedom of expression and writing are guaranteed under a democracy not military rule. Writers must wake up now” Sampson said.

Highlights of the first meeting of the year was the commencement of the 'DEAR' MOMENT by Members of the Club, introduction of new members, presentation of prizes to winners of crossword puzzles, and review of the Book by Richard Mammah titled “The History and Prospects of the Nigerian Book”.