24/07/2025
Saturday. The air was still and cool and the weather bowed, albeit temporarily, in honour of the great man who would grace the v-shaped hall at Credo Farms Resort. The ambience, a graceful greenery, virgin like the c**t that Jesus rode on His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, was perfectly suited for intellectual stimulation and quiet reflection. Thus was the stage set for the public reading of Uwem Akpan's tour de force, "New York my Village," take-off of the writer's book tour to Akwa Ibom and commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of the Abak Book Club.
Guests had started trooping in once it was 1:30pm. Class, style and colour merged in the grand celebration. Handshakes, hugs and laughter marked the momentous meetings of long-time friends and the forging of new connections. After all, the motto of the Abak Book Club is 'Read, Connect and Act!' Professors, writers, public officials, educators, students represented the different interest groups in the book ecosystem.
Then Prof. Uwem Akpan walked in in surprising simplicity and was led to his seat with his entourage. With the formal introductions done, Rosebeth Cletus took the mic and stirred minds with her electrifying spoken word performance. The big one then happened. The moderator of the book chat, Loveday McJolly, was introduced and ushered to his seat and then the iconic writer, Uwem Akpan, took his seat facing Loveday.
What followed was an expert dissection of the novel, as questions bordering on the implications of the Nigerian civil war for Akwa Ibom State in general and the Anaañ nation in particular were asked. Racism, tribalism, imperialism and identity politics were also interrogated in line with the novel, following which were questions and responses from participants.
Experiences were shared by Dr Nestor Udoh, author of Civil War Child, and reference was also made to Albert Ekop's The Tailor vis-a-vis such works as Chinua Achebe's There Was a Country and Chimamanda Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun.
Dr Udoh also donated copies of his novel to the schools in attendance, including Holy Family College, St. Mary's Senior Science College, Loreto Girls Juniorate and Government Technical College, all in Abak. Mr Anietie Usen, SSA on Media to Governor Umo Eno and author of the novel, Village Boy, also spoke at the event and made a symbolic donation of his works to Prof. Akpan.
In her speech, the Coordinator of the Abak Book Club, Mrs Mary Jonas, reflected on the journey of the club in the past three years and appreciated Dr Udeme Nana, founder of the book club initiative in Akwa Ibom State, for his vision and constant support. She acknowledged the invaluable role of our Patron, who serves as the chairman, Board of Patrons, Rev. Fr. Thomas Ebong, Ph.D for sponsoring the event, and other stakeholders including members of the club in facilitating the event.
Dignitaries in attendance were Prof. Ndaeyo Uko, Prof. Patrick Uko, Prof. EnoAbasi Urua, Dr Nestor Udoh, Mr Kingsley Akpan (represented Dr Udeme Nana, ) Mr Anietie Usen, Mrs Helen Alfred Ebi, Dr Theresa Linus, Dr Jacinta Akaenyi, Dr Iberedem Daniel, Sr. Tonia Ebong, Mr Anietie Idok, Mr Theophilus Edet, Mrs Udeme Inyang and Becky Asindi (both representing Eket Book Club), among others who joined in cutting the 3rd anniversary cake of the Abak Book Club.
©IAP
