Uyo Book Club, Shakespeare Room, Watbridge Hotel, No 11b Ibb Avenue, Uyo (2026)

31/05/2026

GROANS, POETRY, AND RHYTHM: THE UYO

Saturday, the 30th of May, 2026 was like no other day. Months-long envisaged global events happening simultaneously and more than a billion pair of eyes focused on them. But these global events can be relieved in audiovisual and textual recaps – which pale in comparison to the edifying and enthralling experience that is the Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Session. Knowing this, members and guests alike trooped into Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotels and Suites, opposite Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue, Uyo for the May 2026 edition.

This month's – alongside the May 2026 Book of the Month “Groans of Two Seven Nine” authored by Eyoh Etim which was artfully reviewed by professor of oral literature Prof. Friday Okon of the Department of English, University of Uyo, Uyo – was billed to feature poetry recitals and performances.

None of these commence at any Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Session before our signature “DEAR Moment". What it means? "Drop Everything And Read Moment”. We call it the "book buffet” where we, for hours, feast on thousands of books sprawling before us by authors as diverse as the number of books in sight…including the hundreds of books authored by members of the Uyo Book Club.
No, we don't move on to the book review segment right after. Members get to speak on the content and ideas gleaned from books read during the DEAR Moment; and we ruminate on the lessons therein.

"Groans Of Two Seven Nine” is a poetry anthology by Eyoh Etim. As reviewed by Prof. Friday Okon, “Groans Of Two Seven Nine" is a narrative of the harrowing experience the 279 contracted (hence the “Two Seven Nine") lecturers and workers hired by the Akwa Ibom State University without pay for 16 months they had to (and still have to) endure years after. It details the trepidation stemming from the uncertainty of workers juggling pilling bills and crumbling strong will to keep pressing for demands from an insider perspective.
"Groans Of Two Seven Nine”, employing the technicalities of literary devices, paints vivid illustrations of oppression, the complexities and efficacy of alternative dispute resolution platforms, the Nigerian justice system, and as an analogy for the plight of teachers tasked with giving their all to grooming generations of Nigerians intellectually without commensurate pay and appreciation from society and the government.

The Uyo Book Club May 2026 Reading Session was billed to feature poetry recitals and performances, and it did deliver. With conga drums beaten at rhythmic paces by students of the Departments of English and Theatre Arts of the Akwa Ibom State University (where "Groans of Two Seven Nine” author, Dr. Eyoh Etim, lectures), several poems from the Book of the Month were recitted by members and guests present. And the beats went on, drums beaten to fever pitch, thrilling all present.

"More writers should get into politics and decide the fate of our country. Writers are gifted with the ability to organise thoughts and ideas in detailed and understandable ways. So to formulate and express people-oriented policies, it takes writers to articulate all the yearnings of the people. Such writers are found in the intellectual community that the Uyo Book Club is; and I am proud to identify with it.” These were the opening words of Sen. Ekong Sampson, Ph.D, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the National Assembly who also doubles as the Patron of the Uyo Book Club. He had physically joined the month’s Reading Session, the aforementioned global events unfolding on the day regardless. Also, congratulated by Dr. Udeme Nana for emerging as the candidate of his party, the APC, in the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District contest for the 2027 general elections.

According to Sen. Ekong, who is a poet himself, being a writer and one steeped in the culture of intellectualism which Uyo Book Club champions informs why he has always promoted education. The Uyo Book Club Patron deputises as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) and he recently launched a #100 million scholarship fund targeted at ensuring the educational aspirations of students who otherwise wouldn't have had financial alternatives to see their educational pursuits through.

“Digidiot", the word with a rising profile recently published by Collins Dictionary, and coined by and credited to Dr. Udeme Nana, the Founder of the Uyo Book Club, was put on the spotlight by Kingsley Mark Akpan, the Reading Session Compere.
Pointing out the publishing of "digidiot” (which is a portmanteau of " digital” and " idiot” to mean "anyone who believes anything he or she sees online", "a person struggling with using digital tools and devices such as mobile phones and the likes", and "anyone who misuses digital tools or gadgets" ) as a feat worthy of celebration, putting Dr. Udeme Nana as the first Nigerian credited by a reputable dictionary like Collins Dictionary to have coined a word which is published on its platform found online.
Kingsley Mark Akpan imploringly asked that members of the book club and the public alike use “digidiot" in everyday conversations on and offline to ease the entry of the word into everyday vocabulary, especially with its relevance to happenings in the cybersphere where artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to twist reality and blur the lines between what is real and fake.

Remember the conga drums by the university students? They took over at the asking of Sen. Ekong Sampson, beating the drums to Akwa Ibom folksongs sang aloud, rhythmic enough to get the Book Reviewer of the Month, Prof. Friday Okon, on his feet dancing.

The Uyo Book May 2026 Reading Session was publicised to be a unique experience better witnessed than imagined. It ticked all the checkboxes, and then some more. It reiterates exactly why you should, not just join the Uyo Book Club, but physically attend the monthly reading sessions which hold every last Saturday of the month from 4:00 p.m. WAT at Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotels and Suites, opposite Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Here's how much you will have to pay to attend? Nothing! Yes, attending Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Sessions is free of charge.
To follow up on Uyo Book Club activities or make enquires, visit our page by clicking on https://www.facebook.com/uyobookclub or simply local-searching “" on Facebook. Our website, which is our digital gate to the world, is accessible by clicking https://uyobookclub.org.

– Kingsley Mark Akpan

30/05/2026

You can relive the game via match highlights, but nothing beats the in-person experience at the Uyo Book Club Reading Session.

Less than an hour to go.

We are here to receive you.

Come along! Bring a friend too!

28/05/2026

It's May! And it's that time of the month for the 𝐔𝐲𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 Monthly Reading Session.

Our May 2026 Book of the Month to be reviewed is "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐰𝐨-𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧-𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞" authored by 𝐄𝐲𝐨𝐡 𝐄𝐭𝐢𝐦.

The Book Reviewer of the Month? 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐤𝐨𝐧
from the Department of English, University of Uyo, Uyo.

This month's Reading Session will also feature poetry performances guaranteed to thrill you.

Here's how to participate:

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Saturday, 30th May, 2026.

𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Shakespeare Hall, Watbridge Hotel and Suites, IBB Avenue, Uyo.

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 4:00 p.m.

📍Attending the Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Sessions is free!
Join us!
Bring a friend or two!

See you this Saturday by 4:00 p.m.

03/05/2026

It's WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2026.

To the members of the press who have been incarcerated for beaming the light of truth in dark places.

To journalists from Uyo to Lafia continuing to be society's conscience.

To gentlepersons of the press from Abak to Ikot Ekpene to Eket to Port Harcourt and Abuja.

To those who have documented their commentaries on society's most topical issues in books and engaging think pieces forever preserved.

Thank you! Thank you! And the Uyo Book Club celebrates you.

Happy World Press Freedom Day.

26/04/2026

KNOWLEDGE BETWEEN PAGES: THE UYO BOOK CLUB SPECIAL WORLD BOOK DAY READING SESSION

Books. World Book Day. Uyo Book Club. The first fueling the latter two, the latter two caused into existence by the former. So a celebration of one is a celebration for all, of all; and with World Book Club Day celebrated just days this April, it was a celebration for the Uyo Book Club too.

In 1995, the World Book (and Copyright) Day was created by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing, and copywriting, particularly targeting kids and reigniting the love of books. Uyo Book Club, since it was founded in 2015, has operated driven by ideals which align with those of the World Book Day.

Interestingly too, the Book of the Month of April 2026, “Musings of Yesteryears", was authored by the book club's founder, Dr. Udeme Nana, who is passionate about books and reigniting the reading culture in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Nigeria.

"Musings of Yesteryears", expertly reviewed by the Book Reviewer of Month, Dr. Eyoh Etim, a literary scholar and lecturer, focuses on the poems inspired by the boyhood philosophical ruminations of Dr. Udeme. It examines observable societal contradictions, and theorizes on why status quos never really change. Sometimes it is playful, and sometimes it reads like one completely lost to the deepest musings.

Perhaps, even more captivating to the students of Beulah International School who joined the reading and book review session, was Dr. Eyoh’s exploration of the rich literary devices in the book. For the students, it was an opportunity to quiz and learn from one whose career is teaching good command of the English language, and communication in the said language. And quiz, they did, right on the heels of the DEAR Moment which is the Drop Everything And Read Moment where we display books to be picked and read based on interest – a book buffet like we call it.

Mrs. Itoro Ekpo was our Special Guest Reader for the Month of April, 2026. As a teacher passionate about education and community development, the World Book Day falls right in her niche. Mrs. Ekpo praised the book club initiative, commending the founder, Dr. Udeme Nana, and its members for daring to do something different – create events around reading and making reading fun.

For Engr. Pius Ebong, transiting from a virtual participant in Uyo Book Club activities to actually being physically present is one he has looked forward to for years. He particularly implored members to be strongly rooted in their culture and traditions, stating both are indices of man being a social animal.
Prof. Imoh Ukpong, a professor of Geography, insisted reading is a dying art and writing its death twin. Analogizing with Dr. Udeme Nana authoring “Musings of Yesteryears" as a youngling, he enjoined the high school students present to emulate the book club's founder.

The World Book Day is significant in many ways. On the average Nigerians read less than 4 books per year, but by contrast, Americans and Indians read 17 and 14 books yearly.
Nigeria's situation is dire. This informed the necessity of a platform which aims to change and is actively changing the narrative. The platform? Uyo Book Club, Nigeria's longest running and most active book club founded in 2015.
Since then it has:
– Amassed over 5 million engagement metrics yearly;
– Become an active community of over 4,500 members;
– Participated in and organized about 1,030 book, reading and other literary-themed events;
– Hosted more than 300 authors, and;
– Had beyond 100 books published by its members.
– Earned the award of Nigeria's Book Club City by Nigeria's most recognized body of book publishers.

How much is the membership fee of the Uyo Book Club? It's free; and it's open to book lovers beyond Uyo and Akwa Ibom's state lines, extending to just about every continent you can list.

Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Sessions hold every last Saturday of the month at Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotels and Suites (opposite Ibom Hall), IBB Avenue, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital city.

Connecting with us is easy. On Facebook, you should interact with our activities by clicking https://www.facebook.com/uyobookclub, the visit our website by logging on to https://uyobookclub.com.

–– Kingsley Mark Akpan

23/04/2026

𝐔𝐲𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 April Reading Session holds this Saturday!

This month's is a special one in commemoration of the World Book Day.

Our Book of the Month is "𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬" by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐔𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐚, 𝐟𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐫 which is to be reviewed by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐲𝐨𝐡 𝐄𝐭𝐢𝐦, our Book Reviewer of the Month.

Fittingly so, our Special Guest Reader of the Month is one whose life-long passion is kindling and rekindling interest in books in Nigeria's young, Mrs. Itoro Ekpo – a class teacher and dedicated educator with a soft spot for community service.

Here's the event schedule:

✅𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Saturday, 25th April, 2026.

✅𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Shakespeare Hall, Watbridge Hotel and Suites, IBB Avenue, Uyo.

✅𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 4:00 p.m.

Wondering how much it'll cost you to gain entry? It is free!

Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Sessions are open to all lovers of books and reading.

Join us!

03/04/2026

Happy Good Friday, book lovers!
It's also a good Friday to reminisce on the growth of the Uyo Book Club. Do a digital time travel to a typical Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Session a decade ago.
Yes, we sure have come a long way.

29/03/2026

Femme Forte: The Uyo Book Club March 2026 Special International Women's Day Reading Session

By: Kingsley Mark Akpan

Femme Forte. It's French for “strong woman"; and expatiated on, “a woman of courage, intelligence, and fortitude". Such women abound world over; particularly as members of Nigeria's “Book Club City” since 2021 and its longest-running city book club, Uyo Book Club. With March calendared globally as the month for the celebration of the International Women's Day, Uyo Book Club dedicated this month's reading session to highlight the multi-faceted and layered roles of women, beam their countless successes, and champion their rights.

Just as fitting, “So Long A Letter" – the award-winning novel by Senegalese author and female rights activist, Mariama Bå – was chosen as the Book of the Month; and Mrs Esther B. Attih, a creative director and writer who champions women's rights, emerged as the Book Reviewer of the Month.

As usual, Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotels and Suites (opposite Ibom Hall), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was the venue; and hours before the designated 4:00 p.m time of commencement, the hours-long torrential rainfall regardless, members were already trickling in for the book ‘buffet’ segment we call the "DEAR Moment” – which is a catchy acronymic term for the "Drop Everything And Read Moment”.
You see the hundreds of books splayed in front of everyone on the large, long table in the attached photos from Uyo Book Club Reading Sessions? That's how the DEAR Moment is set-up – you get to make a pick of any book you fancy then read it.

It doesn't end at just reading during the DEAR Moment. We get to ruminate on the books read, with each person present giving a summary of their chosen book. Curious about what books were read and summarized during the DEAR Moment? You should watch the livestream of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/uyobookclub/videos/1487103196462560/ .

“So Long A Letter" focuses on protagonist Ramatoulaye’s letter to her long-time friend, Aissatou. Ramatoulaye informs her friend of being recently widowed, and the length and processes involved in the traditional mourning rites. The protagonist presses on about betrayal by her recently-deceased spouse, societal and familial expections of her as a wife and mother, the intricacies of and rifts caused by polygamy, and the humiliating gender-biased mourning rites she is being subjected to.

Mrs. Attih, the Uyo Book Club Book Reviewer of the Month of March 2026, templating on the themes of "So Long A Letter”, drew comparisons with occurrences in Nigeria. From the glass ceiling of aspiration within Nigeria’s sociopolitical system to the weighter expectations when actions are morally scaled, she highlighted the discrepancies in what is expected of and opportunities made available to women in the larger society.

Reacting to the book review, Dr. Udeme Nana, the Founder, harped on the need to make society a safer place for women, opining Nigeria (and Akwa Ibom particularly) should place a stiffer, harsher punishment on people who violently assault women, including proven rapists. Dr. Nana condemned the trivializing of r**e by those who blame the victims and attempt to shield rapists from facing the legal consequences.

As regards making workplaces safer for women, Barr. Obo Effanga, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, a Fellow of the Uyo Book Club and its January 2026 Special Guest Reader, exemplified by analogizing how he does it. Barr. Effanga recalled setting up a meeting attended by female staff of the INEC Akwa Ibom State Headquarters, and during the deliberations where he encouraged the women to speak up for themselves, they listed adjustments which will make work more conducive. It resulted in him directing the construction of toilets attached to each office, stocked with toiletries and sanitary pads. For the INEC state boss, he realized insisting women speak up about their workplace needs highlighted his blindside to some of the realities of women as he otherwise wouldn’t have, as a man, thought about details such as sanitary pads and other such female peculiar needs. Barr. Effanga also mentioned certain familial experiences have helped him understand better that only women truly understand the challenges of women so he's always in support of letting women champion their causes while he supports them in every way he can.

For Dr. Martin Akpan, the Uyo Book Club Orator, Mrs. Esther B. Attih’s animated and engaging book review stood out; and her spin on the book’s many themes, relating it to the events, happenings and observable societal occurrences in Nigeria did “So Long A Letter" justice and made it a memorable review to be recollected with nostalgia.

There were more reactions from other members present. Banker-turned-writer, Mr. Chukwuma Amadi, quizzed the Book Reviewer of the Month about balancing being observably cultured yet identifying as a feminist which, in his words, connotes negativity and combativeness in the Nigerian context. The same notion was reiterated by Mr. Kingsley Mark Akpan, a web developer and brand Identity designer. Mr. Akpan, analogizing with viral examples in the Nigerian social media space, questioned why the worst representatives of feminists seem to be more vocal than the consummate, evenly-tempered civil ones; with the former generating bad press for the movement which should, by default, simply be about women's rights.

As a testament to Uyo Book Club's enduring legacy and cross-border eputation for championing intellectualism and organizing fun reading sessions, amongst the new faces present was Prof. Victor Datonye Dapper, the Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Port Harcourt and a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine (NAMed), who came all the way from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

The Uyo Book Club welcomes all. It is perhaps Nigeria’s most diverse demographic organizational make-up, with members ranging from pre-tertiary school students to heads of parastatals and captains of industry united and connected by the love of books, reading, and intellectual engagements.

Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Sessions, one of the many expressions of the book club, holds every Saturday by 4:00 p.m. (WAT) at WatBridge Hotels and Suites (opposite Ibom Hall), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
We are active online too and you should follow us to keep up with our activities and for enquires by checking out https://www.facebook.com/uyobookclub and https://uyobookclub.org .

– Kingsley Mark Akpan

25/03/2026

THE UYO BOOK CLUB PRESENTS THE SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY MARCH 2026 READING SESSION

You already know the International Women's Day was marked this month. As part of the activities celebrating women who are an integral part of the Uyo Book Club and the world at large, the March 2026 edition of the Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Session is dedicated to commemorating the International Women's Day.

Our Book of the Month of March 2026 is "So Long a Letter" by Senegalese author and feminist, Mariama Ba.

"So Long a Letter" is an award-winning book with a global readership exploring themes such as polygamy, feminism, and patriarchy which continue to resonate as topical issues today.

To do justice to the book, our Book Reviewer of the Month is Mrs. Esther B. Attih, a creative director, researcher and writer passionate about women's rights and championing feminism in its purest, truest form.

Here's what you need to know to be a part of it:👇🏼

👉🏼 Date: Saturday 28th of March, 2026.

👉🏼 Time: 4:00 p.m. prompt.

👉🏼 Venue: Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotels and Suites (opposite Ibom Hall), IBB Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

At the Uyo Book Club we feast on books and ruminate on the knowledge gleaned from them. You should come expectant.

For enquires, do send us a message via our page by clicking https://www.facebook.com/uyobookclub and https://m.me/uyobookclub.

Attending the Uyo Book Club Monthly Reading Session is free of charge! You'll only have to pay attention.

Be there! We'll be on hand to receive you.

02/01/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WELCOME TO 2026!

Oh! You thought we forgot to wish you the blessings of the new year? Of course we have you at heart.

Welcome to 2026 from the Uyo Book Club. Thank you for being part of our decade-long mission so far of reigniting reading in not just Uyo and Akwa Ibom State, but all over Nigeria.

From participating in our physical monthly reading sessions to engaging with Uyo Book Club's activities on social media and playing your parts in different ways to make intellectualism cool and fun to associate with, all of the achievements we have had wouldn't be possible without you.

In 2026, book lovers, we hope to do more. This dream is only realizable, of course, with your continued support.

Remember to read a book today, this week, and this month.

Uyo Book Club: inspiring readers, building the future.

https://www.facebook.com/uyobookclub

https://uyobookclub.org

Uyo Book Club

31/05/2026

30/05/2026

28/05/2026

03/05/2026

26/04/2026

23/04/2026

03/04/2026

29/03/2026

25/03/2026

02/01/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Hotel

Shortcuts

Share