Readings II: Orok Duke to Present 5 New Books on Calabar, Civil War, Culture Nov 5
By Missang AKPET
The member representing Cross River State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke is set to present five of his latest publications to the public.
Speaking to newsmen at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar, Duke said the presentation is aimed at encouraging Nigerians to tell their own stories and document their experiences.
According to the Author, the public presentation tagged "Readings II" will hold on Thursday, 5th November 2026, by 1:00 pm at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja.
The five books for presentation which include two poetry collections and three prose works include
1. Calabar Modern Stories
2. Welcome to Uyo (The Nigerian Civil War through the Eyes of a Calabar Child 1967-1970)
3. Winnowing (Duke Town, So, the Sky Stayed and Other Poems)
4. Treasures (Calabar Festivals, Idim Uyo, Forbidden Streets and Other Poems)
5. Oluchi's Journey (Three Generations of the Okerekes in Calabar, Before, During and After the Nigerian Civil War)
Duke noted that the publications are part of efforts to advance literacy, reading culture, creative writing and preservation of Nigeria's rich cultural heritage.
"These five recent publications represent an effort that contributes to the advancement of literacy, reading culture, creative writing and the preservation of Nigeria's rich cultural heritage".
"Through stories, experiences, values and reflections, the books seek to encourage reading and intellectual engagement, while documenting aspects of our cultural identity for present and future generations," he said.
He recalled that his last set of five books were presented in 2018 in Abuja under "Readings I" and included Clementines, Sentinels (Farewell Bakassi), Dances on the Plains (Mandela, Achebe, Angelou and Other Poems), My Song (and Other Poems) and Ellipses (Niger Delta, Leaving the Plains, Saratoga).
"I urge other people to have their own stories to tell because until and unless the lion writes its own story, every story about the hunter shall glorify the hunter".
"Some stories they say and tell about us might not necessarily be true. The question is where is your own version of the story? I am doing this as an encouragement, let us write about ourselves. It must not be only during your happier days, even sad days. Let us document and tell our own stories" he added
