Delta State took a bold step toward reviving reading culture on Friday, March 6, 2026, as it hosted its first-ever World Book Day Festival, a landmark literary gathering designed to reignite the love for books among young people and communities across the state.
Held at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Head of Service in Asaba, the LightRay! / Distortion World Book Day Festival brought together students, educators, civil servants, writers, and literary advocates in a vibrant celebration of literature, creativity, and intellectual exchange.
Organised by LightRay! Books and Creative Society in partnership with the Delta State Government through the Office of the Head of Service, the festival carried the theme “That Which Bends, Transcend.” The initiative aims to promote literature, nurture creativity, and strengthen the state’s creative economy across its 25 local government areas.
Launch of Distortion Takes Centre Stage
A defining moment of the festival was the official launch of the novel Distortion, a compelling literary work that has now been approved by the Delta State Ministry of Education as a literature text for secondary schools across the state.
The adoption of the novel signals a deliberate move by the government to deepen literary engagement among students while encouraging critical thinking through contemporary storytelling.
Students Showcase Creativity and Literary Talent
The festival came alive with vibrant performances from students representing both public and private schools in Asaba, showcasing the depth of young literary talent within the state.
Miss Unumeri Success Aghoghomena of St. Patricia Group of Schools delivered a powerful spoken word performance titled “A New Nigeria is Possible,” drawing loud applause from the audience.
Another memorable performance came from Master Prosper Onojite of Westend Mixed Secondary School, whose spoken word presentation captivated attendees and reinforced the event’s mission of nurturing creativity among young Nigerians.
A Vision to Restore Nigeria’s Reading Culture
At the heart of the festival is Lady Ejiro Umukoro, founder and president of LightRay! Media, Books and Creative Society. A respected literary advocate, she is a recipient of the ChangeMaker Award from the United States Agency for Global Media and the British Council International Communications Entrepreneur Award.
Speaking at the event, Umukoro highlighted a major gap in Nigeria’s literary landscape: the absence of a unified national celebration of World Book Day, an event widely observed in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ireland every March.
She explained that the festival was conceived as a deliberate effort to rebuild reading habits and expand literary engagement in schools and communities across Delta State.
According to her, the growing influence of streaming platforms, social media, and constant online engagement has contributed to a worrying decline in reading culture among young Nigerians.
“Habits are formed when people practise them consistently until they become part of a culture,” she said.
“If we want to rebuild a reading culture, we must consciously create the habits that sustain it.”
Call for Stronger Library Infrastructure
Umukoro also raised concerns about the limited library infrastructure in the state. Delta State currently has only 27 libraries, a number she described as grossly inadequate for its population.
She advocated the establishment of at least two well-equipped libraries in each of the state’s 25 local government areas, alongside the training of professional librarians and the encouragement of privately run community libraries.
She further urged policymakers to reconsider educational policies that discourage the use of indigenous languages as a medium of instruction, stressing that local languages are vital to cultural identity and intellectual development.
“This festival is more than a celebration,” she said.
“It is a call to action, to inspire change, promote literature and creativity, and build a platform where professionals, civil servants, schools, libraries, book clubs, and students can work together to reimagine the role of books in shaping our society.”
Government and Stakeholders Endorse the Initiative
Guest speaker RTN Smart Edoge, Esq., Deputy Clerk of Administration at the Delta State House of Assembly, described Distortion as a powerful reflection of society’s moral struggles and challenges.
He encouraged readers to engage deeply with the book’s themes and confirmed the government’s decision to adopt the novel as a literature text for secondary schools.
“This is a significant step toward promoting critical thinking and moral reflection among students,” he said.
Representing the Head of Service of Delta State, Permanent Secretary Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, on behalf of Dr. Minim Oseji, commended 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,” he noted.
Confronting the Challenge of “Alliteracy”
In her remarks, Mrs. Stella Macaulay, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Ministry of Information, emphasized the urgent need to cultivate a stronger reading culture.
She warned about the rise of alliteracy, the ability to read but choosing not to read, describing it as a silent but growing problem.
“Alliteracy is like a parked car with fuel in the tank and the keys in hand, yet going nowhere because the ignition is never turned,” she said.
Quoting writer Richard Steele, she reminded participants that:
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
Macaulay urged professionals, civil servants, and members of the public to rediscover books not only as tools for work but also as gateways to imagination, knowledge, and meaningful connection.
She also encouraged greater participation in book clubs and reading communities, both physical and digital.
Broad Support from Literary and Education Leaders
The festival attracted goodwill messages from several prominent figures in the literary and educational sectors, including:
Dr. Gabriel Okonjo, President of the Asaba Book Literacy and Reading Club;
Dr. Omena Egedi, Charles Omordia, Founder of Schoolvilles Asaba
Chief (Mrs.) Theresa “Mummy” Allanah,
Uche Egbuche, representing the Capone of the Nigeria Association of Seadogs
Testimony Asiagwu, Founder and Director of Robotics4Kids Africa.
Speakers unanimously described the festival as timely and transformative, noting its potential to revive reading culture and expand literary engagement across schools and communities.
Competitions to Inspire Participation
To sustain momentum beyond the event, organisers unveiled a range of competitions designed to encourage creativity and participation across the state.
Categories include: Best Book Club, Most Vibrant Library, Book-a-thons, Performance Art, Poetry, Stage Plays, Skits, Best Short AI Film, Script Writing, Voiceover Artistry.
Participants, including students, professionals, civil servants, civil society organisations, and community members, will compete for cash prizes worth millions of naira.
Looking Ahead
The next phase of the initiative will begin on April 23, aligning with the global celebration of World Book Day, with expanded activities planned across schools and communities throughout Delta State.
Established by the United Nations, World Book Day is a global celebration dedicated to promoting books, reading, and literacy.
With the launch of the LightRay! / Distortion World Book Day Festival, Delta State has positioned itself at the forefront of a growing movement to restore the culture of reading, while inspiring a new generation of readers, thinkers, and storytellers.
