By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
Stakeholders in Delta State’s education and creative sectors have commended Lady Ejiro Umukoro, Founder and President of LightRay! Media Books and Creative Society, for pioneering the Distortion World Book Day Festival, a literary initiative aimed at promoting reading culture and creative expression among young Nigerians.
The festival, which held its inaugural flag-off ceremony in Asaba, is the first World Book Day literary festival of its kind in Delta State.
Participants described the initiative as a timely intervention capable of addressing declining reading culture and strengthening intellectual engagement among youths.
Representing the Delta State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, praised Lady Ejiro Umukoro’s vision and commitment to advancing literacy development.
He noted that the festival provides a platform for students and young creatives to explore literature, storytelling and intellectual discourse.
Also speaking through a representative, the Capone of Vito Corsica Deck of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Comrade Michael Chukwuma Nwaidei, said the initiative aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.
Other dignitaries present included Deputy Clerk of the Delta State House of Assembly, Smart Edoge, Esq., Functioning Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Comrade Mrs. Stella Macaulay, Chief (Mrs.) Theresa Allanah, members of the Delta State Reading Club, and representatives of Asaba Rotary Club.
They collectively urged residents of the state to embrace reading as a tool for personal growth and informed decision-making.
The speakers stressed that literature plays a vital role in shaping societies by encouraging creativity, intellectual independence and innovation.
In her keynote address, Umukoro described the festival as a movement designed to place literature and the creative economy at the center of social transformation.
She explained that the initiative was inspired by the growing need to reconnect communities with books and storytelling in the digital age.
According to her, the festival will bring together writers, poets, visual artists, filmmakers and performers from across Delta State and beyond.
“The Distortion World Book Day Festival is more than a celebration of literature. It is a platform for social impact, community engagement and creative empowerment,” she said.
Lady Ejiro Umukoro noted that the project is built around the themes explored in her award-winning Distortion novel series, which addresses issues of identity, resilience, human rights and cultural diversity.
The novel “Distortion,” published by LightRay! Media, has been approved by the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as a recommended literature text for students.
She also revealed that the sequel, “The Distortion of Hadassah,” won the South-South category of the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2025, further strengthening the book’s influence within Nigeria’s literary landscape.
The festival will feature a wide range of activities including book-a-thons, poetry recitals, stage plays, literary competitions, creative workshops and performance arts.
Participants will compete for cash prizes in several categories aimed at encouraging innovation and creativity among students, professionals and community groups.
The initiative will also encourage the establishment and revitalization of book clubs across schools and communities in Delta State.
The Wole Soyinka Center for Investive Journalism Award winning journalist said the project will run for three months with additional post-event engagements that will extend into a global creative showcase in March 2027.
She emphasized that the festival seeks to position Nigeria’s literary ecosystem on the global stage while creating opportunities for young creatives to develop professional storytelling skills.
The flag-off ceremony featured spoken word performances by Unumeri Success of Patricia Group of Schools and Onajite Prosper of Westend Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, highlighting the creative talents of young writers in the state.
Stakeholders at the event encouraged individuals, schools, associations and literary enthusiasts to participate in the festival activities scheduled to climax on April 23, 2026, in celebration of World Book Day.
They noted that the success of such initiatives depends on the collective efforts of government institutions, educational bodies, community organizations and the private sector.
Participants were therefore urged to support programs that promote literacy, strengthen libraries and encourage the next generation of Nigerian writers and thinkers.
