The Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos, Dr. Dele Omojuyigbe, has called the attention of the government to the high production costs debilitating the country’s publishing industry, which affects the production, use, and appreciation of paper-based materials.
Dr. Omojuyigbe made the call during the launch of his ninth (9th) book titled ‘NIJ’s Inside Story…from my lenses…The Beaut, the Bend’ on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the institution’s auditorium, Ogba, Lagos.
According to him, between the time he submitted the manuscript for his book and the time it was published, production costs had septupled.
“An acquaintance of mine queried my sense of judgement for choosing to publish at this time. Why? The high cost. Between the time I submitted the manuscript for this work and the time that the book eventually came out, the cost of production increased seven times,” Dr. Omojuyigbe revealed this during his speech.
He stressed that high publishing costs resulted in higher book prices, making books less accessible to a broader segment of the population, particularly those with limited financial resources, such as students, and discouraging authors.
He then urged the government to invest in publishing infrastructure, such as printing presses, paper mills, and distribution networks, which can help reduce production costs for publishers and increase the availability of affordable printed materials.
“I want to implore the government to help us see to the high cost of production, particularly in terms of papers. While people have embraced publishing online, I can tell from experience that any book published solely online is as good as lost.”
Commenting on the book launch, the Provost of NIJ, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, applauded Dr. Omojuyigbe for achieving the remarkable feat, emphasising that it’s a fitting cap for twenty years of service. He also encouraged students to get a copy of the book as it would be relevant to them.
The book detailed the institution’s history {both pre- and post-accreditation by the
National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)}, its trials and triumphs. The book was reviewed by one of the institution’s alumni, Dr. (Mrs) Khadijat Adedeji-Olona.
According to her, “the book remains a valuable resource for current and prospective students of the NIJ in understanding the history and importance of the Institute.”
President of the NIJ Alumni Association, Dr. Sanya Awosan, who was present at the book unveiling representing the NIJ Governing Council, also showered accolades on Dr. Omojuyigbe, applauding his writing prowess.
The event was graced by the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Patricia Kalesanwo; Head of Department, Mass Communication, Mr. Mike Osuji; Associate Lecturer & Executive Director, Media Career Development Network, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin; teaching and non teaching members of staff of the institution, and many authors and publishers.