National Library advocates reading to end illiteracy, crime
The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has called for promotion of reading among Nigerians to end illiteracy and crime in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer, NLN, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, said this during a two-day Readership Promotion Campaign in Enugu on Wednesday with the theme, “Reading as a Panacea for Societal Problems.”
Anunobi, represented by the Director, Public Service Department, NLN, Dr Oluchi Kalu, said good reading culture was a panacea for insecurity, terrorism and banditry in the country.
She added that reading was also the solution to mental degeneration, misinformation, fake news, get-rich quick syndrome and Yahoo business among youths.
She described the theme of the campaign as aptly tailored to reawaken the subconsciousness of Nigerians to embrace reading at the grassroots and to educate them on the importance of reading.
Anunobi stressed that reading would bridge the gap between uninformed and informed, poor and rich, leaders and the followers.
“This will surely address this personal, educational, socio-political, security and economic concerns,” she said.
The NLN chief explained further that a strong reading culture enhanced independence, leadership, confidence was a key component of social and emotional development.
She added that the campaign was designed to awaken reading consciousness among Nigerians by way of promoting the availability and use of good reading materials.
“This engagement will take place in all the 36 states including the FCT with a focus on donation of books and other materials to primary/secondary schools and other vulnerable groups in support of learning.
“The campaign is expected to impact the indigenous people ‘Hard to Reach’ through the help of traditional rulers,” Anunobi said.
In his opening remark, the Chairman of the event, Prof. Agu Gab Agu, highlighted the importance of reading, saying it aids character formation and human development.
Agu, who is a lecturer, Law Faculty, Enugu State University of Technology (ESUTH), noted that the world literacy rating of Nigeria stood at 59.9 per cent.
He urged the students to strife and continue reading to acquire knowledge, stressing that knowledge is power.
“Do not ready just to pass your exams but read evey text you come across for your mental development,” he charged them.
On the proposed study centre in Ngwo Community in Udi Council Area of Enugu State, Agu said the community would support NLN to establish it.
Speaking on the theme, the Chairman, Nigeria Library Association, Enugu Chapter, Dr Jacinta Eze, described reading as an activity that changed peoples’ perception on certain issues.
Eze, who is also the Head of Library and Information Science, ESUTH, said reading habit would help solve the isssue of bad governance and low human and capital development in the country.
Speaking to the students, Eze said active reading would brighten their academic performance and inculcate set values and logical thinking in them.
Earlier, the Head, NLN, Enugu, Rachael Neboh, said reading was a veritable tool for national development, which should not be overlooked.
According to her, educational development is possible only when citizens embrace the culture of reading.
“In our bid to catch them young, we have invited schools to participate in the reading exercise.
“The first day, we had road walk where we sensitised women, farmers and out-of-school children in your community.
“With your support, NLN will create a literacy centre for those that indicated interest to learn.
“White board, relevant books and writing for setting up the centre will be presented to the royal father of the day,” Neboh said.
The event featured reading and spelling competition among students, cultural dance and recitation of National Anthem in Igbo language.
