By Peace Udugba -The Daily Torch Media
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reiterated its commitment to promoting reading, learning and intellectual development among Nigerians.
The Board made this known during the fifth edition of its Book Reading Programme held at the Conference Centre of the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The event brought together members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Bayelsa State Chapter, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), academics and university students.
The programme featured veteran journalist and strategic communication professional, Mr Paul C. Nwabuikwu, who presented his 2025 book, The Pain and the Promise: Insights and Fragments on Nigeria and People, Public and Personal (1990–2025).
Excerpts from selected chapters of the book were read and discussed during an interactive question-and-answer session.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, said the Book Reading Programme reflected the Board’s corporate policy of promoting reading, continuous learning and the exchange of ideas.
“Books give us the opportunity to learn from the experiences and knowledge of others, and to engage issues from different perspectives,” Ogbe said.
He explained that the Board organises the quarterly programme to create opportunities for meaningful conversations between authors, thought leaders and members of the public.
“We bring people together to share ideas,” he added.
The Executive Secretary said the mandate of the NCDMB extended beyond the oil and gas industry to include capacity building in areas that would enable Nigerians to contribute more effectively 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.
Ogbe further stressed that the Board’s commitment to human capital development goes beyond technical and professional skills.
According to him, there is a need to continually encourage Nigerians to read widely, think critically and develop their intellectual capacities.
“We must read widely, think critically,” he emphasised.
Nwabuikwu speaks on journalism, writing
Speaking on his book, Nwabuikwu said his work as a newspaper columnist had been driven by the desire to provide deeper perspectives on issues and events.
“Journalism is the first draft of history,” he said, explaining that he considers it important to give depth to his analysis so that readers can better understand events.
He said much of his writing was inspired by events that occurred during the period covered by the book, from 1990 to 2025.
Nwabuikwu cited Nigeria’s costly military intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone through the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) as one of the issues that particularly concerned him.
He referred to a statement made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on October 25, 1999, in which the former president disclosed that Nigeria had spent about $8 billion sponsoring ECOMOG operations.
Explaining the title, The Pain and the Promise, Nwabuikwu said Nigerians experience difficulties in several aspects of their daily lives, but maintained that Nigeria continues to hold considerable promise.
‘Humour is like an escape valve’
Responding to a question from Dr Ezeobi on his use of humour in writing, Nwabuikwu described humour as a tool that could help writers communicate difficult issues.
“Humour is like an escape valve,” he said.
He explained that humour could provide a way for writers to make serious points, particularly when dealing with sensitive political and social issues.
On creative writing, Nwabuikwu advised aspiring writers to develop their own voices rather than imitate established authors.
“Be yourself; don’t try to write like other people,” he advised.
He urged writers to focus on subjects that genuinely interest them and to write about issues they are passionate about.
NCDMB’s Book Reading Programme
The inaugural edition of the NCDMB Book Reading Programme was held in August 2024, with the Senior Vice Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr Azu Ishiekwene, as guest author.
The second edition, held on August 25, 2025, featured Mr Dayo Oketola, former Editor of The PUNCH, as guest author.
The programme subsequently featured King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, on November 13, 2025, and Dr Dakuku Peterside on April 8, 2026.
The programme is designed to promote reading culture and literacy, critical thinking and intellectual engagement among published authors, academics, students, media practitioners and members of the general public.
