FG flags off nationwide readership promotion campaign

The Federal Government has flagged off nationwide readership campaign as part of efforts to address the challenge of poor reading culture among youth in the country.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, inaugurated the 2024 Annual Readership Promotion Campaign of the National Library of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

He noted this year’s readership promotion campaign would focus on breaking down barriers to reading, saying government recognized that access to reading materials remains a challenge for many Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas and underserved communities.

Mamman who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Abdullahi Zubairu, said the Federal Ministry of Education is fully committed to supporting initiative, saying the Ministry is working with the National Library of Nigeria to ensure that the objectives of the campaign are realized.

He said the campaign, aptly themed “Reading Without Boundaries: A Renewed Hope,” aligns perfectly with the overarching “Education for Renewed Hope: Roadmap for the Nigerian Education Sector (2024-2027).”

He added Education for Renewed Hope Roadmap places a strong emphasis on promoting literacy, fostering a love for reading in schools, and establishing a strong foundation for future generations.

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

She noted that while NLN continue 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 prioritizes pupils and students in secondary and primary schools, as well as those in Hard-to-Reach Communities.

“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 all segments of 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 (94 reading clubs are already active with more coming before the end of the year).  We are also modernizing the outlook of our branches to create inviting and attractive reading environments, implementing new prototype buildings while renovating 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.