By Gabriel Alonta
The auditorium of Prof. Kenneth Dike Central e-Library, Awka, Anambra State, was literally turned into reading promotion campaign, as pupils and students across the state were enjoined to imbibe reading culture from womb to grave by experts.
Orient Education reports that over 10 schools participated in the 2018 Readership Promotion Campaign, themed, ‘sustaining life-long reading for positive change,’ organised by the National Library of Nigeria (NLN).
Speaking at the occasion, the Acting Director, Anambra State Library Services, Nkechi Udeze, noted that reading was important and provides opportunity, stressing that it was fundamental to becoming successful in life.
Udeze said that lack of reading was the cause of upsurge of miracle centres, remarking that children should not only read to pass examination.
She maintained that lack of reading would not only prevent one from actualizing his or her dreams by becoming a better person in the future but also make a constructive argument.
The Ag. Director said that reading maketh a man and broaden one’s horizon, pointing out the need to revive the reading culture that was already dead.
Also speaking, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Librarian, Prof. Obiora Nwosu, said reading as a life-long programme, should be continued.
Nwosu said that the issue of miracle centres in the state and outside the state was as a product of poor reading culture and called for concerted effort to fight such centres.
He decried principals’ and school owners’ attitude of ensuring that their students score highest in external examinations over impartation of reading culture in the students, reiterating that reading would help students wax stronger and become successful.
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Maintaining that reading sharpens intellectual capabilities of a person and nation, the UNIZIK Librarian described Nigeria as an information poor nation, lamenting that the country is sinking.
He commended the Ag. Director, Anambra State Library Services, Nkechi Udeze, for various activities instituted by the library board aimed at improving literacy awareness across schools, urging her not to relent on her oars.
In an address, the Acting Head, NLN, Enugu State Branch, Mrs. Rachael Neboh, said that the National Readership Promotion Campaign which started since 1981 was to promote the widespread culture of reading across all the states, stressing that no state or nation can attain any significant development in all areas of human endeavour in the absence of qualitative reading culture.
Neboh described the theme as apt, considering the evolution, multiplicity and diversity of human knowledge which requires everyone to continually read for the acquisition of more knowledge.
Describing reading as a lifelong business, she said, “it is vital to our becoming better informed, having better understanding of ourselves and others as thoughtful constructive contributors to a democratic cohesive society”.
She appealed to the state government to provide NLN a temporary office building and land as well as establish model zonal libraries in the state for improved and qualitative education and the development of informed citizenry.
In a contribution, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer, NLN, Prof. Lenrie Aina, noted that one of the reasons the exercise was organised in state was to address the issue of inequality, pointing out that inadequate funding of the institution was a contributory factor to lack of the implementation of the readership promotion campaign where there is no national library’s presence.
Disclosing that the national exercise simultaneously took place in Anambra, Edo, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Aina said that the objectives of the campaign were to promote the increase in reading materials and identify obstacles which inhibit reading and ways of eliminating them.
She said that similar activities had been organised to sensitise the youths and children by educating, informing and advancing their knowledge and creativity.
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She identified promotion of reading beyond sheer utilisation and examination purposes, encouraging lifelong reading from womb to grave, sustaining the creation of model reading clubs at both primary and secondary levels among others, as the aim of the event.
Noting that children who disregard reading hardly think, examine challenges or solve them, or ask questions, the National Librarian said that the love for reading creates critical and creative thinking.
Earlier, while declaring the event open, the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, assured of the state government’s support to education, even as he relished the partnership with NLN, describing them as partner in progress.
Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. C’ Don Adinuba, promised to donate a land to the NLN in the state as well as renovate and equip the state library as a way of improving reading across the state.
He advised the pupils and students to read extensively, noting that when they read, they develop knowledge.
The governor also admonished them not to read to pass examinations only but for pleasure and information.
According to him, reading gives confidence, fame, wealth, improves skills and competence.
The highpoint of the event was a reading and spelling bee competition by the participating schools, which saw Nneoma Community Secondary School, Nibo; Girls Secondary School, Awka and Community Secondary School, Ihembosi, occupied the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
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