Exclusive: Port Harcourt Book Festival kicks off oficially with an opening ceremony

Tuesday, 22nd october 2013, the Port Harcourt Book Festival, PHBF, officially began with an opening ceremony that held Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.

The festival which began its activities yesterday though, was officially declared open in this event  with the attendance of Rivers state Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.

Other dignitaries includes former World Bank regional executive, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, who delivered the keynote lecture that centered on "Literature And The Creative Economy", Dr. Chidi Amuta, who is the host of the festival.

Literary figures made the greatest buzz in the event, with names like Elechi Amadi, Chika Unigwe, Gabriel Okara, Titi Horsfall, Kenya's Binyavanga Wainaina, Molara Wood, Christie Bature-Ogbeifun and others gracing the occasion.

Celebrities were not left out, as Julius Agwu also showed up wearing a  black tee engraved with the image of his book cover "Jokes Apart".

The event lasted for four hours, with panel of discussion done by the guest writers, and finally a tour of the book fair centre by the governor and his entourage. The latter brought the ceremony to an end.

The festival is scheduled to hold throughout the week. The festival is organised by The Rainbow Book Club; while Mrs. Koko Kalango is the festival director. The closing ceremony will be held on Saturday 26.