A former Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Orok Otu Duke, has urged the federal government to consider removing import duties on books and printing materials. Speaking during the public presentation of his five new books in Abuja, Duke emphasized that eliminating these tariffs would greatly improve student access to both foreign and locally published reading materials.
Duke, who currently serves as the Cross River State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, pointed out that the high cost of importing completed books places them far beyond the financial reach of average students. He noted that importing books can cost upwards of twenty dollars per volume, an unrealistic expense for families struggling with economic constraints.
Beyond foreign publications, the former lawmaker warned that domestic publishers have been steadily forced out of business due to excessive levies on raw printing materials. He stressed that government intervention is urgently required to stabilize the publishing sector and ensure that educational resources remain affordable and widely accessible throughout the country.
To help mitigate the current limitations, Duke revealed that he has made free electronic versions of his newly released titles available to the public. The published works include Calabar Modern Stories, Welcome to Uyo, Winnowing: A Collection of Poems, Treasures, and Oluchi's Journey, which collectively explore cultural heritage, historical events, and regional lifestyles.
During the event, various dignitaries lauded the author for prioritizing historical documentation. Lawmakers and community leaders in attendance underscored the importance of citizens recording their own histories to ensure accurate cultural representation for future generations.
Source reporting: Leadership — 2026-11-07 03:45:19
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