About Rainbow Book Club

The Rainbow Book Club (RBC) seeks to contribute to the development of African society by encouraging people to read.

We believe that reading is one of the keys to creating an enlightened and self-empowering society. In particular, the RBC promotes reading amongst children and young adults.

Board Members

Rainbow Book Club is a part of The Rainbow Foundation

Mrs Koko Kalango (Founder)

Mr Iso Bassey

Ms Mayen Effiong

Mr Osarume Akenzua

Mrs Olufela Adeyemi

Mr Mubarak Idoko

Miss Tarari Kalango

Mr Beneni Fiberisima

"...life has meaning only in the service of humanity".

WOLE SOYINKA

ON PURPOSE & SERVICE

Rainbow Book Club Over The Years

2005
Founded by Koko Kalango
2005
Get Nigeria Reading Again

Kicked off Get Nigeria Reading Again! campaign in Port Harcourt with Chimmamanda Adichie. The campaign also held in Lagos, Abujas, Calabar. Prominent citizens who have participated include Wole Soyinka, Oby Ezekwesili, Emaka Anyaoku.

2008
Leaders Read Campaign

Kicked off the Leaders Read campaign where we get prominent citizens to read to children. Readers have included Grammy Award winner Burna Boy, former Minister for Petroleum (State) Odein Ajumogobia, Civil Rights activist Jesse Jackson and Vice President Osinbajo.

2008
Port Harcourt Book Festival

Began the Garden City Litereary Festival in Port harcourt renamed the Port Harcourt Book Festival in 2012. Keynote speakers have included Chinua Achebe, Ngugu Wa Thiongo, Amma Atta Aidoo and matthew Kukah.

2010
Published An Anthology

Published an anthology of 50 important Nigerian writers (Nigeria Literature: A Coat of Many Colours) to mark Nigeria 50th Independence Anniversary.

2012
Bid for UNESCO World book Capital 2014

With support of the Presidency and the Government of Rivers State RBC puts in a bid for Port harcourt to be UNESCO World book Capital 2014.

2012
Named UNESCO World Book Capital 2014

Port Harcourt is named UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.

2013
100 Years Around Port Harcourt

Published a book: 100 Years Around Port Harcourt, a collection of stories by children from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, about their communities to mark the centenary of the city.

2014
African 39 Project

Managed the African 39 project, a collaboration between the Rainbow Book Club and Hay Festival that selected and celebrated 39 of the most important African writers under the age of 40 leading to the publishing of an anthology - Africa 39 by bloomsbury publishers.

2015
World Book Capital tenure completed

Port Harcourt World Book Capital tenure completed. A year of over 12 major initiatives to promote books and reading.

2019
Rainbow Book Club Creative Writing Competition

Published Rainbow Stories by Kids and Rainbow Stories by Teens from the Rainbow Book Club Creative Writing competition sponsored by Shell petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

2019
Rainbow Prize for Literature

Established the Rainbow Prize for Literature for the best graduating student in the subject at the West African School Certificate exams in 3 schools - Federal Government Girls College Abuloma, Port Harcourt, Kings College lagos and Loyola College, Abuja.

2021
Rainbow Notable African Series

Began publishing the Rainbow Notable African Series for young readers.

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