Breaking Literary Ground: Delta State to Host First-Ever World Book Day Festival

LightRay! Media has announced its upcoming DISTORTION World Book Day Festival, the first-ever World Book Day celebration in Delta State. This historic festival is designed to unite diverse voices and promote resilience through the transformative power of storytelling, poetry, and performance.

The novel, DISTORTION published by LightRay! Media is approved as a literature text for students in Delta State by the Ministry of Education. The LightRay ! / DISTORTION Festival is also endorsed by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Schools, Delta State.

The Founder and President of the organisation, Lady Ejiro Umukoro, disclosed this in a statement issued in Asaba and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

As the inaugural World Book Day event in the state to hold on Friday 6th March 2026, the festival aims to foster creativity, cultural exchange, while highlighting the importance of literature and the arts in building stronger, more connected communities, while highlighting the importance of literature. In a similar fashion, The UK and Ireland often marks the first Thursday in March as its World Book Day celebration while in The US, it is held every 2nd of March.

Delta State is set to make history with this celebration, bringing together individuals, schools, book clubs, libraries, and professionals to embrace the magic of stories and the beauty of self-expression. Stay tuned for more details on this groundbreaking event!

Umukoro stated that the event, with the theme, ‘That which Bends, Transcends’, is scheduled to hold on March 6 in Asaba, marking the state’s first official World Book Day event of its kind. She added that the programme was being organised in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service, Delta.

Umukoro, an award-winning author, is a recipient of the United States Agency for Global Media ChangeMaker Award and the British Council International Communications Award.

She stated that the event was built on the impact of her novel, Distortion, approved by the Delta Ministry of Education for secondary schools.

She explained that the DISTORTION series had been credited with influencing conversations around social justice and cultural reform.

According to her, its theme addresses caste discrimination, human rights abuses, child rights, surrogacy, and the tension between the state and individual.

Umukoro noted that the work contributed to advocacy efforts that led to the abolition of the ‘Osu’ caste practice in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.

The statement added that the event would provide a platform for the launch of the LightRay! Distortion Literary Festival, also endorsed by the state Ministry of Education.

It explained that the festival would feature competitions, workshops, mentorship sessions, book clubs and renewed library initiatives.

It also stated that more than half a million naira in prizes would be awarded across various categories during the event.
Students, civil servants, professionals, academics, book clubs and creatives across the state are expected to be key participants at the festival.

Umukoro described the celebration as a movement aimed at amplifying marginalised voices through literature.
She added that the theme highlights humanity’s ability to overcome adversity and find renewal through shared stories.

First Published on (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MOA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah