The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer, National Library of Nigeria , Prof. Chinwe Anunobi has condemned poor reading culture in Nigeria , describing the development as dangerous to national growth.
Anunobi expressed the feeling in Umuahia, Abia State during the year 2021 Reading Promotion Campaign with the theme: “Building A Nation of Readers; Share Your Story”.
The national librarian who was represented at the event by Dr. Mrs. Kalu Oluchi Ichie appealed for collaborative efforts among all critical stakeholders in arresting the slide. She pointed out that the Readership Promotion Campaign embarked upon by the National Library of Nigeria was designed to encourage and revive dying reading culture of Nigerians, especially the youths and children.
According to Prof. Anunobi, “generally, the objectives of the campaign were to encourage and revive the moribund reading culture among Nigerians by way of promoting the availability of good reading materials and to collectively with other stakeholders seek solutions to address identified obstacles to reading culture in Nigeria.”
“To achieve these over the years, the National Library has continued to embark on readership promotion campaigns with the focus on children and youths in primary and secondary schools by way of sensitizing, informing and educating them on reading culture”.
Also in her address, the Head of Branch, National Library of Nigeria, Abia State, Mrs. Chika Ezulike who listed some benefits of the program, explained that the grassroots and other members of the society would be reached out to, with vibrant radio talk-show campaigns.
Ezulike commended the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu for her interest in the revival of reading culture among Abians.
Abia State first lady, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu who was represented by her Principal Secretary, Chief Mrs. Love Ezema encouraged parents to start reading aloud to their children and to expose them to reading activities.
A pupil, little Miss Jachinma Raphael, who authored the book, “Fruit of Diligence”, appreciated the efforts of the National Library of Nigeria and promised to support the crusade among her mates. The event featured distribution of books to pupils and attracted some stakeholders in education industry.
