Nigeria must address poor reading culture ― National Librarian

THE National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Library of Nigeria, Professor Lenrie Aina has called on the Federal Government and education stakeholders in the country to as a matter of urgency to address the poor reading culture of Nigerians.

Aina stated this while declaring open a two-day event to mark the 2019 national readership promotion campaign in Oyo state, themed “reading: A tool for empowerment the vulnerable”.

The two days event took the officers of the National Library of Nigeria, Oyo state branch to Agodi Correctional Service and Custodial Centre, Ibadan, on Tuesday and presentation and lecture on the second day at award hall, Akinyele Local Government, Moniya, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

Professor Lenrie was represented by the Acting Director of Legal Deposit Department, National Library of Nigeria, Abuja, Mrs Ibongesit Akpabio and was received and assisted on the occasion by the head of branch, Mr Bashir Akanni Salawu while Mrs Mistura Abdul-Azeez, a Deputy Director in the National Library of Nigeria, Abuja, was also present.

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Lenrie stated that “we must take into cognisance the poor reading culture in Nigeria as a dangerous challenge to individual and national development must be addressed.”

He also informed that the 2019 edition of the Readership promotion campaign, in line with the present administration’s policy of reaching out to the vulnerable and the poor, “is covering semi-urban communities and custodial centres of the Nigerian correctional service across the country.”

The team’s visit to the correctional centre was received by Assistant Controller of customs who was represented the State Controller Mrs Ajeleti Adebunkola Alaba and the Principal of the Custodial School Mr Oluwatoki Sunday Dominic, and presented the inmates with gift like books, three bags of rice, book shelve, and 10 cartons of drinks with refreshments to cap it up.

One of the traditional rulers who spoke at Moniya, the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Ismaila Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola advised the federal government to consider citing libraries in villages and stop concentration in cities, this he said will encourage reading culture at the grassroots.

Also, a former Director of General Services, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Dr Dauda Ashamu appealed to parents to make education appeal to their children right from young ages.

He stated that for anybody to excel in life, education is important, calling on the parents to stand up and be alive to play that huge role in helping their wards reach their peaks.

There were drama presentations and cultural display by the inmates and cultural troupe on the two dates.