Delta State Hosts First-Ever World Book Day Festival, Reviving the Reading Culture

In a bold and transformative move to rekindle the dwindling flame of reading culture, Delta State marked history with its first-ever World Book Day celebration—a literary extravaganza titled LightRay! / DISTORTION World Book Day Festival. Held at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Head of Service, Asaba, the event featured the launch of the highly acclaimed book Distortion, which has been officially approved by the Ministry of Education as a literature text for students across the state.

The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcend”, was spearheaded by LightRay! Books and Creative Society, a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering literacy and creativity, in collaboration with the Delta State Government through the Office of the Head of Service. The initiative, described by organizers as “a platform for change,” is designed to promote literature, creativity, and the growth of the creative economy across Delta State’s 25 local government areas.

Educators at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs W. O. Ighavbota Director of Schools and Mrs. Anthonia R. Dibua-Dinoke at the Directorate of Schools championed the endorsement for the DISTORTION / LIterary Festival.

A Literary Mastermind Leads the Charge

At the helm of the festival is Lady Ejiro Umukoro, Founder and President of LightRay Media, whose accolades include the ChangeMaker Award from the United States Agency for Global Media and the prestigious British Council International Communications Entrepreneur Award, stated that “There is not a single National Nigerian World Book Day as you have in the UK, US and Ireland done every month of March.” Described as the Queen of Literature, Umukoro is the first literary author to advocate for a National Nigeria World Book Day to celebrate authors, books and literary driven activities and initiatives.

Addressing the audience, Lady Umukoro emphasized the festival’s mission to revive reading culture and expand literary activities across schools and communities in Delta State. She acknowledged the efforts of book clubs that promote literacy through school engagement, book donations, and organized discussions, but noted the disproportionate focus on urban areas, leaving rural communities underserved.

“This festival is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action,” Umukoro stated. “We’re here to inspire change, to promote literature and creativity, and to provide a platform where professionals, civil servants, schools, libraries, book clubs, and students can come together to reimagine the role of books in shaping our society.”

DISTORTION: A Book That Sparks Dialogue

The centerpiece of the event was the launch of Distortion, a thought-provoking novel that delves into societal challenges and moral decline. Its sequel, Distortion of Hadassah, clinched the South-South TYB Young Adult Literature Prize 2025, further cementing its status as a literary gem. Guest speaker, RTN Smart Edoge, Esq, the Deputy Clerk Administration, described the book as a mirror reflecting society’s struggles, urging readers to engage with its lessons to foster change.

Edoge also revealed that the Delta State Government has adopted Distortion as a literature text for use in secondary schools, calling the decision a “significant step toward embedding critical thinking and moral reflection in the academic curriculum.”

Competitions, Workshops, and Cash Prizes Galore

The festival’s lineup of activities promises to be as dynamic as its vision, with competitions spanning categories such as Best Book Club, Most Vibrant Library, Book-a-thons, Performance Art, Poetry, Stage Plays, Skits, Best Short AI Film, Script Writing, and Voiceover Artistry.

Participants—ranging from professionals and civil servants to students and community members—stand a chance to win cash prizes worth millions of naira, making the event not only intellectually enriching but financially rewarding.

Phase 1 of the project kicks off on April 23, aligning with the global celebration of World Book Day, to further amplify the festival’s impact and reach.

Partnership from Delta State Leadership

The Head of Service of Delta State, Dr. Mininim Oseji, represented by Permanent Secretary Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, lauded the initiative, describing it as a groundbreaking effort to nurture literacy and creativity among young people. “This is a bold step toward reshaping the educational and cultural landscape of our state,” Chukwuka remarked.

Goodwill messages poured in from key stakeholders, including Mrs. Stella Macaulay, Functioning Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Association of Nigeria Seadogs, Asaba Literacy and Reading Club, Robotics4Kids Africa, Libber Book Club, and other dignitaries, who praised the event as timely and capable of reviving Delta’s reading culture while promoting literary activities statewide.

A Global Celebration of Books

World Book Day, established by the United Nations, is a global celebration of books and reading aimed at promoting literacy and encouraging a culture of reading worldwide. With the LightRay! / DISTORTION World Book Day Festival, Delta State has joined the ranks of regions around the world that honor this tradition, with a uniquely local twist that promises to leave a lasting impact.

As a show of commitment and Solidary to the DISTORTION World Book Day Festival Phase 1 kickoff in support of the movement across Delta State for a more vibrant reading culture and the preservation of languages, many of the attendees committed to the adoption of of their Alma mater as beneficiaries to compete in the book club, book-a-thons, and performance arts competition. They include the National Association of Seadogs, Tolulope Book Club (courtesy of Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters of Nigeria’s President, Prof Oyikan Tasie), Mrs. Stella Macaulay for St. Bridges Primary and Secondary School Asaba), RTN Edoge and Mr. Eloho Ogboudu, SSG’s office (Federal Government College, Warri), and other individuals who expressed their commitment to engage their communities and circles of influence.

As Delta State charts a new course for literature and creativity, the festival stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us all that through stories, we can transcend boundaries, inspire change, and create a brighter future for generations to come.

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