FG pushes for ex-presidents to establish libraries in schools

THE Federal Government has said that plans are underway towards ensuring that former Nigerian presidents establish functional library in schools across the country while also encouraging library endowment by private citizens and corporate bodies.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mammanahir Mamman, who made this known in Abuja also revealed that the National Policy on Library and Information System would be reviewed.

He spoke during the flag-off of 2024 national readership promotion campaign, noting that the Education for Renewed Hope Roadmap places emphasis on promoting literacy, fostering love for reading in schools, and establishing a strong foundation for future generations.

He stated in specific terms that the education roadmap articulated clear strategies for addressing library services in Nigeria which translates into improvement in reading culture of Nigerians.

According to him, some of these strategies were to encourage library endowment by private citizens and corporate bodies, including former presidents to establish functional library in all schools.

He said the government would also encourage and engage authors and publishers to comply with standards and criteria for quality assurance and assessment of educational resources among other strategies.

Mamman, who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Abdullahi Zubairu, observed that the act of reading transcends the pages of a book, saying it is the gateway to lifelong learning, to acquiring the knowledge and skills that can prepare citizens to meet the challenges of the modern world.

National Librarian/CEO, National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Professor  Veronica Anunobi, said the campaign will be conducted in 34 states across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She noted that while NLN continues the advocacy on all inclusive form of reading, it will be donating books and educational materials to primary and secondary schools, as well as to vulnerable groups, in support of their reading and learning journey.

“In a bid to “Catch Them Young,” this campaign prioritises pupils and students in secondary and primary schools, as well as those in Hard-to-Reach Communities.

She added: “In previous campaigns, we have reached Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Nigerian Correctional Centers, artisans, market groups, hospitals, and motor parks, underscoring our commitment to making reading accessible to every segments of the society thereby engendering inclusivity.

“Our efforts in reinvigorating reading among Nigerians are multi-faceted. We are advocating for the institution of a National Reading Day and the reintroduction of reading hours into the timetables of all basic and secondary schools across the country.

“Additionally, our state branches are actively establishing reading clubs nationwide.  Specifically, 94 reading clubs are already active with more coming before the end of the year.”

We are also modernising the outlook of our branches to create inviting and attractive reading environments, implementing new prototype buildings while renovating the existing ones.

“These branches are not only stocked with Nigeria’s intellectual heritages through legal deposit publications but also with resources tailored to the needs of their host communities, based on thorough community needs assessments.

“Furthermore, our branches serve as reading hubs, both physically and virtually, with access to a wide range of online resources available 24/7, ensuring that Nigerians can engage with reading materials at any time while reading beyond boundaries,” Anunobi said.

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