Uyo Book Club Explores “Art of Writing Satire” with Usoro Usoro’s New Book

Uyo Book Club Explores “Art of Writing Satire” with Usoro Usoro’s New Book

…Celebrates veteran journalist Ray Ekpu, promotes mentorship and literary culture

Nigeria’s popular reading hub, The Uyo Book Club has spotlighted the art and practice of satire with its August 2026 Monthly Reading and Satire Writing Mentorship Session, focusing on The Art of Writing Satire, authored by journalist and scholar, Usoro I. Usoro, PhD.

The literary gathering, held on Saturday, August 29, at LetterHouse Hall, WatBridge Hotels & Suites, Uyo, brought together writers, journalists, scholars, academics and lovers of literature to explore the role of humour and satire in writing and communication.

Prof. Ndaeyo Uko served as the Special Guest of the Month and Lead Mentor of the “How to Write Satire” session, where participants were taken through the creative and practical dimensions of satire writing.

Speaking on the book, Senator representing Akwa Ibom South at the National Assembly, Ekong Sampson, PhD commended Usoro for his humour and the richness of his thoughts, describing the author’s effort as commendable.

He also praised members of the Uyo Book Club, particularly the younger generation, for sustaining their commitment to reading and literature.

Senator Sampson said Usoro had demonstrated that humour could create a “think tank,” just as his mentor, Prof. Ndaeyo Uko, had done through his years of intellectual and literary engagement.

Speaking on the motivation behind the book, the author, Usoro said The Art of Writing Satire was an attempt to provide a package that would help explain some of the techniques employed by writers who use satire.

He explained that the book focuses primarily on writing that applies satire as a style, drawing from his experience in newspaper journalism.

According to him, while the book is largely centred on newspaper writing, the principles discussed can also be applied to social media articles.

Usoro added that satire is not limited to journalism, noting that it can also be effectively deployed in stage plays, cartoons, books and other literary works.

The event also featured a special birthday reading in honour of veteran journalist and Newswatch Magazine icon, Ray Ekpu, with veteran journalist and OAP Mr. Michael Bush.

Senator Ekong Sampson described Ekpu as a rare journalist and intellectual whose contributions to journalism and literature would remain relevant across generations.

He recalled following Ekpu’s writings from his days at Chronicle Newspaper through his years at Newswatch Magazine, noting that he had read extensively from his works.

According to him, what distinguishes Ekpu is the depth of his thoughts and his ability to deploy humour even while expressing anger or criticism.

“Ray upsets ribs and uses humour to even convey his anger through writing. He is simple and cerebral,” Senator Sampson said.

He likened the depth of Ekpu’s thoughts to that of literary giant Chinua Achebe and commended the Uyo Book Club for honouring him during his lifetime.

“Ray is universal,” he declared, describing the veteran journalist as a major ambassador of the Akwa Ibom imprint in the creative space.

Senator Sampson also commended Prof. Ndaeyo Uko for his mentorship of young people, stressing that humour and satire are integral parts of communication.

The programme featured contributions from Mr. Michael Bush; former SACA Chairman, Dr. Martins Akpan; founder of Uyo Book Club, Dr Udeme Nanna and Prof. Herbert Batta, alongside an interactive question-and-answer session with Prof. Ndaeyo Uko and other literary activities.

Meanwhile, The Art of Writing Satire is available at select locations in Uyo and Eket, as well as online.

In Uyo, you can get your copy at No. 43 Gibbs Street (near Plaza), off Oron Road, Uyo. Call 0810 995 3255 or 0802 913 6474.

Copies are also available at the NUJ Press Centre, Information Drive, Uyo. Call 0708 373 9027.

In Eket, the book is available at Wiseman Designs Studio, No. 30 U.J. Esuene Way (formerly Eket-Oron Road), opposite Ideal Medical Laboratory, Eket, Akwa Ibom State. Call 0803 054 2930 or 0703 533 0756.

Online: You can also purchase a copy via Selar: https://selar.com/1q85gf7n00

© Itoro Etti