UYO
The Akwa Ibom First Lady Designate has underscored the urgent need to imbibe a reading culture that would intellectually challenge stereotypes, social constructs and limiting beliefs that have hindered the growth of the average Akwa Ibom person over the years.
Lady Helen Obareki bared her mind, weekend, at the second edition of the Boldoz Book and Arts Festival with the theme: “Breaking Stereotypes.”
Obareki stated that to break labels that have boxed Akwa Ibom people from childhood, books must be used to empower the mind to ask relevant questions, dare to dream and imagine lives beyond limitations.
According to her, breaking stereotypes was apt, following an urgent need to address wrongly held beliefs built from childhood by redefining cultural and social labels that have hindered Akwa Ibom people from audacious growth and progress.
“This is a situation that can only be countered through reading books and beginning the process of unlearning, relearning and liberation,” she said.
While aligning with Mary Schmich’s sentiment that, “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere,” she reiterated that books build bridges between cultures, generations and possibilities.
The first lady designate lauded Gov Umo Eno’s passion for books which, she noted, has birthed a visionary leader with unwavering drive for development, evident in his approach to education, empowerment and community development.
She informed the audience of book lovers that the Golden Initiative for All, GIFA, as part of its programmes, was poised to promote literacy as a tool for empowering children through the publication of educational materials and the GIFA Adult Education Initiative.
The convener of the Boldoz Book and Art Festival, Mrs Enobong Etuk, recounted that the literacy event birthed in 2024 with the theme: “Mbùk Nyin (Our Story),” has grown into a platform that brings together writers, leaders, authors and publishers to promote and encourage creativity and intellectual exchange within Akwa Ibom, encouraging writers and authors to continue to explore and document informed stories that shape the identities of Akwa Ibom people.
The executive director of Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, ECEWS, Dr Andy Eyo, lauded the initiative for its cultural relevance and educational focus by promoting reading, especially among students and women, saying it was essential as the world continues to evolve.
While declaring the continuous support of ECEWS for the project, Eyo commended authors and publishers for their commitment to knowledge sharing, noting that the passion behind their work has helped create a thriving platform for book lovers and readers, reminding them that books remain powerful tools in education, empowerment and cultural preservation.
Dr Blessed Edem stated that the Boldoz Books and Arts Festival was targeted at encouraging and motivating book lovers to read, highlighting that the Boldoz book club, founded 10 years ago, has over 100 registered members in Akwa Ibom.
The event featured book chats and panel discussions on several issues including that of “Preserving Identity and Inspiring Innovation Through Indigenous Art”, moderated by Dr Eyoh Etim; while the Ndito Uforo Dance troupe added colour to the event.
Present at the event were the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Inemesit Uwah; the wife of the deputy speaker, Akwa Ibom House State of Assembly, AKHA, Mrs Enobong Edidem; the permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey and the wife of the chairman, Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, Mrs Joyful Monday Eyo.
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