NCDMB’s 5th Book Reading centres on Nigeria’s past and present
At the 5th edition of its reading programme, writers and professionals explored Nigeria’s history, challenges and enduring possibilities.
The story of Nigeria, its challenges and its possibilities, took centre stage at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board’s (NCDMB) 5th Edition of the Book Reading Programme on Tuesday, as authors, journalists, academics and students gathered at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Swali, Yenagoa.
The quarterly programme brought together leading members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Bayelsa State Chapter, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), alongside academics and university undergraduates, for an afternoon of reading and conversation.
This edition featured veteran journalist and strategic communication professional, Mr Paul C. Nwabuikwu, who presented his 2025 publication, THE PAIN AND THE PROMISE: INSIGHTS AND FRAGMENTS ON NIGERIA AND PEOPLE, PUBLIC AND PERSONAL (1990-2025).
Excerpts from topical chapters of the book were read during the session, providing the basis for discussions around Nigeria’s history, politics, society and the experiences that have shaped the country over the years.
In an address at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD), Dr Obinna Ezeobi, described the programme as part of the Board’s corporate policy of promoting reading, learning and continuous exchange of ideas.
Also Read: Nwabuikwu to lead NCDMB book reading session with The Pain and The Promise
“Books give us the opportunity to learn from the experiences and knowledge of others, and to engage issues from different perspectives,” he said, explaining that the quarterly programme was created to bring authors and thought leaders together with members of the public for meaningful conversations.
“We bring people together to share ideas,” he added.
Ogbe also noted that NCDMB’s mandate extends beyond the oil and gas industry to include capacity building in areas that can enable Nigerians to contribute to national development.
“We support businesses, we develop institutions; we also create opportunities for Nigerians to participate meaningfully in the energy sector; we enable thought processes, and we enable people to enhance their intellectual capacities,” he said.
He reiterated that the Board’s human capital development efforts go beyond technical and professional skills, stressing the importance of encouraging a culture of learning.
“We must read widely, think critically,” he emphasised.
For Nwabuikwu, writing has been a way of making sense of the events and experiences that have shaped Nigeria over the years. Drawing from his experience as a newspaper columnist, he explained that he tries to give greater depth to the issues he examines so that readers can better understand the events behind the headlines.
“Journalism is the first draft of history,” he said.
The author explained that much of the material in the book was shaped by his reactions to events that occurred between 1990 and 2025. One of the issues he highlighted was Nigeria’s military intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone through the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), which he described as particularly disturbing because, in his view, Nigeria did not gain anything of strategic importance from the intervention.
On October 25, 1999, former President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed that Nigeria had spent US$8 billion sponsoring ECOMOG.
The title of the book, The Pain and the Promise, also reflects the author’s view of the country. Nwabuikwu said Nigerians experience pain in many areas of their daily lives, while Nigeria continues to hold considerable promise.
The conversation also turned to the role of humour in writing, particularly when dealing with difficult subjects. Responding to a question from Dr Ezeobi, Nwabuikwu described humour as “an escape valve”.
“When you are writing under a military ruler who was not famous for letting his enemies escape, you have to find a way of making your point so readers are sure of what you are saying, but Oga is not annoyed enough to deal with you,” he said.
Asked about approaching creative writing, he advised aspiring writers to develop their own voice rather than attempting to imitate established authors.
“Be yourself; don’t try to write like other people,” he said, encouraging writers to focus on subjects that genuinely interest them and, in his words, “Whatever you are passionate about.”
The NCDMB Book Reading Programme began in August 2024, with the Senior Vice Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr Azu Ishiekwene, as the guest author.
The second edition, held on August 25, 2025, featured Mr Dayo Oketola, former Editor of The PUNCH. The programme later featured King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, on November 13, 2025, while Dr Dakuku Peterside was the guest author at the April 8, 2026 edition.
Through the programme, the Board continues to create a space where published authors, academics, students, media practitioners and members of the public can engage with books and the ideas within them. Its stated objectives include promoting reading culture and literacy, encouraging critical thinking and creating opportunities for intellectual engagement.
