Nigeria: President launches Facebook novel

  1. Posted on Tuesday 21 December 2010 - 15:06
    Samuel
    Image of Samuel
    Samuel Okocha, AfricaNews reporter in Lagos, Nigeria
    Thousands of youths gathered at the expo hall in Lagos to witness the public presentation of the book titled: 'My Friends and I: Conversation on polls and governance via social networking site, Facebook' written by Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan.
    Goodluck Jonathan
    The book chronicles the interactions between President Jonathan and Facebook friends on the social networking site.

    Jonathan said the book was aimed at encouraging a reading culture among youths and promoting good governance and accountability at all levels of government.

    Key public speakers, many of them youths, made statements at the book launch. One of them was the son of late Nigerian author and environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiwa. “When I was asked what was the greatest gift I got from my father, I said ‘education and book’, in fact, if I add all the books he gave me and the book that I have, I think I have almost close to 1000 in my library.”

    Toyosi Akere was another speaker. The young female CEO captivated the audience with her unique voice as she tasked Nigerian youths on the country’s coming elections.

    “They say that we are not good, that we are only relevant for them during elections as election rigging machines and political thugs, [but in] 2011, we are going to register, we are going to select, we are going to vote and we are going to protect our votes,” she said amid thunderous cheers from the crowd.

    The book launch by the President was not all about speeches. It turned out to be a mini musical concert with the likes of renowned Nigerian pop artistes, Dbanj, and award winning 2face Idibia of African Queen fame among others performing.

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