NIGER STATE BOOK DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Niger State Book Development Agency was established by Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in December 2012 following a proposal by BM Dzukogi who was the National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) to Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, to among other things, provide a formidable environment for the promotion of the Intellectual Capital Project of the State Government. The establishment of the Agency is also in recognition of the presence of a strong literary tradition in Niger State, and in furtherance of the portent partnership that exists between the Government and Nigerian writers. It is the first and the only of its kind in Nigeria till date. BM Dzukogi was appointed as the pioneer Director General of the Agency, in 2012.

VISION

To create a platform and environment for diverse sectors of the society to share and promote relevant ideas for national development; to open up Niger State by bringing in Quality individuals to aspire our young ones towards developing string and concrete personalities by way of creating concrete philosophies of life for ideal citizenship, scholarship and sound cognitive/creative ventures; to re-awaken the creative spirit of the state as an emerging Intellectual Capital of Nigeria toward the promotion of the spirit of Camaraderie, good governance, and the creation of a literate society.   

FUNCTIONS

The Agency is to formulate, develop and implement programs and activities relating to specialized services in the areas of documentation, policy analysis, publications and documentaries relevant to the State; identify, promote and secure the intellectual Capital Programme of the State; to develop journals, magazines and other information platforms; document Government activities, encourage creative writing and indigenous authorship in the State; create an organized enabling environment for research in arts, culture, leadership research writing in any discipline, and organization of thoughts by Local, National and International scholars, artists, students of tertiary institutions and policy studies; provide an excellent modern reference library services in both electronic and other fiscal resource format; establish a physical publishing house for the production of books and other relevant historical documents for the State; provide a state-of-the-art ICT training facility for students and the public towards their literary/academic/intellectual enhancement; provide optimal film related services including editorial, content development, scripting and other professional needs for the promotion of a flourishing film industry.

UNITS OF THE AGENCY

The Book Development Unit is the hub of the Agency’s activities where manuscripts are edited, books are developed and journals and magazines document government activities. The unit churns out magazines such as Impact and Interpreter and also provides editing Services for writers and researchers.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) unit of the Agency provide a state-of-the-art ICT training facility for students and the public. The unit provides hands-on practical training and the use of computer from beginner to professional courses that will lead to the award of basic certificates. The unit also has the prospect of running other higher certificate courses like CCNA, ORACLE, Database Administrative, Website Design and Development, Graphic Design and Animation among others. The unit also has a website development section which develops and manage office website and ensure correct operations.

The Arts and Concepts Unit generate book related design for the Agency: graphic design and illustrations, branding and re-branding of concepts, various artistic inputs, book cover design and consultancy services for other book developers (Publishers).

The Library Unit manages the Cyprian Ekwenci Library which is repository of information materials at the Agency in both electronic and print format. The library collects, preserves, cultivates and endorse the treasure of knowledge and as well as heritage and culture.

The Film Unit of the Agency has a statutory mandate to oversee advice and regulate the production of indigenous films in the state. Its main tasks is to regulate and advice the Agency on moral contents, structure, modern film making techniques, artistic enhancement of the indigenous film maker and promotion of the act of film as a new frontier in today’s media.

The Facility Unit has the responsibility of coordinating the environment and human activities to the goal of the Agency as a haven of public service delivery. The unit also manages the conference hall which is well equipped and best suitable for any ceremony, from corporate, social, religious and educational to papillary activities. 

The Book Distribution Unit of the Agency takes stocks and distribution of the Agency’s publications to MDA’s and other Organizations. 

ACHIEVEMENTS (December 2012 – May 2015)

1. Creation and organization of the Niger State International Literary Colloquium, annually, which brought to Niger State global citizens like Prof Wole Soyinka, former President of Mozambique; Joakin Chisano, Odia Ofeimun, Prof Atukei Okhai, Professor Pius Adesanmi, Professor Ayindoho and leading scholars and writers in Nigeria;
2. Construction of MBA Bookshop (Book Hawker) with an ICT Center attached to it from the takeoff grant. The Bookshop sells books at subsidized rates to students and members of the public. The ICT center offers training on various ICT-related courses for civil servants and the public;
3. Published numerous achievements of Government (MDAs) for dissemination of Information through the distribution of its publications to schools, MDA’s, citizens and well-wishers.
4. The Agency has promoted intellectual and cultural exchange programmes between global scholars, artists and the state. 
5. Introduction of MBA Bookhawker Scheme (Bookshop) and tricycles for the sale of books in the neighborhood to promote reading culture amongst the populace;
6. Introduction of the Minna Creative Writing Class where different instructions are being taught to interested members of the public in areas of Basic grammar, Play writing, Prose, Poetry and Technical/Report writing (exclusively for civil servants);
7. Production and presentation of the first indigenous Nupe Modern Calendar, KÁMI NUPE and Nupe Numeral Symbols invented by a writer from Niger State;
8. Establishment of Minna Literary Series (publishing scheme for young writers) where four books were published in a year. One of them is currently a Ph.D student in the US. One of the books won a national prize for fiction;
9. Establishment of a functional website with a developing e-library;
10. Establishment and management of the Cyprian Ekwensi Library with children and reading corners;
11. Establishment of Impact Magazine with over ten editions, each covering a ministry or agency;
12. Establishment of Interpreter Magazine (it amplifies a major policy of government through the voice of the governor);
13. Production of six books on the Intellectual Capital Project of Niger State: These include Abdullahi Ismaila’s Intellectual Activism and Creative Partnership – a close-up on Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu’s Approach to Governance, Kamar Hamza’s Democratic Politics and the Administration of Dr, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu in Niger State, Baba Akote’s The Sardauna Factor in Contemporary Northern Nigerian Leadership, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu as a model, Abdullahi, Kamar and Akote’s Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu and Traditional Institutions in Niger State, and two books of proceedings on the 2nd MBA Literary Colloquium and The Marriage of 1914: A Curse or Blessing;
14. Production of the book, Zungeru and Ojukwu;
15. Production of 2013 Media Tour Report on some selected projects in Niger State;
16. Production of book on Investment Opportunities in the Mineral Sector of Niger State;
17. Production of the book on Investment Opportunities and Export Potentials in Niger State;
18. Production of the book of proceedings on Minna National Discourse on Corruption held in Minna;
19. Production of the book of proceedings on NACOFED 2013 (National Council on Finance and Economic Development) held in Minna;
20. The premises of the Agency have provided the environment for the production of television programmes like NTA Network Click Clap show for children and Face2Face with Yekondunu on local networks.
21. The Book Agency was an unpronounced strategic thinking point for government in terms of policy analysis, design, and conception. 
22. Establishment of creativity garden.
23. Discovery, mentoring and publishing of teen authors in collaboration with Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation. 
24. Renovated and reformed Government House Library.
25. The Book Agency publications were souvenirs for visitors to government house, Minna.