• CIPPON hails printers’ resilience
Participants at the just concluded 24th Nigeria International Book Fair Conference have been told to rise up to the challenges that the rise of digital technologies have brought to the physical book which is increasingly being complemented and sometimes replaced by its digital counterpart.
Addressing the participants at the Book Fair Conference, Key Speaker and the Managing Director of Expand Press, Mr. Babafemi Oluwalana said e-books, audiobooks and online platforms have transformed the way people engage with literature, as they offer unprecedented accessibility, convenience and reach.
“This dematerialization of the book presents both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, it has disrupted traditional publishing models, requiring the industry to adapt and innovate.
“On the other hand, it has opened up new avenues for authors, publishers and readers. It has lowered barriers to entry, empowered self-publishing and fostered a global literary community”, Oluwalana told the gathering. On the future of the physical book, which has sparked great debate, Oluwalana assured that physical books, in spite of these challenges, will not die.
“While some predict its demise, I believe that the printed book will continue to hold a special place in our hearts and in our culture. There is an undeniable allure to the tactile experience of holding a book, the scent of its pages and the intimate connection it fosters between the reader and the written word”, Oluwalana assured.
The 24th edition of the Book Fair, he said, is a testament to the enduring power of books in all their forms. “It is a place where we can celebrate the rich history of print, explore the exciting possibilities of digital media and discover the countless ways in which books continue to enrich our lives and drive economic progress.”
Admitting that the digital space poses a significant and evolving threat to traditional brick-and-mortar printing businesses with the concomitant economic implications, Oluwalana, however, said it is not all gloom and doom.
He called for an advocacy /lobby group that would be an essential part of the print ecosystem, which would continually engage with the local, states and the Federal Government so that issues affecting the print industry would be constantly placed before government and make a case for investment and support for the industry.
Oluwalana said this is important as a large chunk of book orders in Nigeria are government-financed.
In order to stay competitive and take advantage of emerging digital trends, Oluwalana asked players in the print industry to consider some options. These include:
• Offering web-to-print services
• Investing in digital printing technology
• Providing variable data printing
• Developing online marketing strategies, and
• Interacting with e-commerce platforms, among others.
In his goodwill message at the event, President of the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Comrade Babajide Salako hailed the resilience and adaptability og Nigerian printers who have consistently innovated and thrived despite challenges.
He noted that this year’s Book Fair’s theme: “Economic advancement ad dematerialization: Striking a balance” resonates deeply with the future of the print industry and the world at large.
“There’s the delicate tension between technological evolution and the enduring significance of print. While digital innovation continues to shape economies and societies, the printing profession remains a vital force for education, culture and commerce”, Salako said.
CIPPON, he said, believes that the future lies not in choosing one over the other, but in harmonizing progress with preservation – leveraging technology to enhance and not to erase the relevance of print.
