..Laments poor writing culture among Versity Dons
A Bayelsa state born administrator, political philosopher and writer. Mr. Rodney Edisemi Ere has presented a copy of his new book entitled ‘The King’s Ally’ to the chairman of the Bayelsa state Independent Publishers Association (BIPA), Mr. Francis Dufugha in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The prolific prose writer, while presenting the 191-page book to the BIPA chairman, said he was encouraged by the writing skills of Mr. Dufugha who is also the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the Niger Delta Herald Newspaper hence he decided to honour him with a copy of his written novel.
Ere eulogized the Publisher for standing out in Bayelsa despite financial challenges facing the publishing industry which has forced many publishers out of circulation.
The author, however, lamented the writing culture amongst Bayelsa born academicians working in the different state owned tertiary institutions.
The Amassoma born writer averred that over ninety percent of books in the libraries of Bayelsa state owned higher institutions were written by authors from other states, describing the situation as a bad reputation not only for the academic community but Byelsa state at large.
He said â€let me be moderate, over ninety percent of the recommended books in our schools are written by authors from other states. If you go to the Niger Delta University, you go to Utuoke, the African University, Toru-Orua, over ninety percent of the books the students are reading was written by academics from other states even in places where Bayelsans are in authority.
“I wonder why Bayelsans who are in authority are not writing books. Is it that they have not been over the years encouraged? When writers from other states write, they are highly encouraged; both the public and private sectors boost the morale of such writers. But here in Bayelsa state, you are practically on your own.â€
Describing writing as a catalyst for nation building, Ere called on the state government and spirited individuals to always encourage those gifted for writing to enable them publish their written materials for the good of the state, even as he blamed the poor writing culture in the state on lack of financial encouragement to writers given the monetary involvement in book publishing .
Responding, the BIPA chairman thanked the author for not only visiting his office but also presenting a copy of his book to him, describing the gesture as a great honour.
Dufugha, who described the book, ‘The King’s Ally’ as a thought provoking prose, recommended same to all literary students both in secondary and tertiary institutions across Nigeria and beyond.
The King’s Ally is a beautifully crafted work of fiction, telling the story of a powerful King wanting a son but his close confidant is seeking his crown.
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