The National Library of Nigeria has expressed regret about the declining reading culture among Nigerians, especially the youths.
The National Librarian, Prof. Lenrie Aina, said this while speaking with our correspondent on the ongoing National Readership Promotion Campaign.
Aina noted that many Nigerians, particularly the youths, had abandoned the reading culture of the olden days as they had now resorted to getting fake news all over the various social media platforms.
“We do not read here in Nigeria; we only read for examinations and for interviews; after that, no more. Many youths are out there spreading false news because they do not really know what is happening; because they have no time to sit down to read and get background information about happenings,” she said.
Aina added that the readership campaign was directed at promoting awareness on the importance of reading among Nigerians, especially school children, adults and professionals.
She noted that it was also aimed at improving the reading culture in Nigeria, noting that Nigeria did feature on the list of countries who read from reading surveys conducted across the world.
”This campaign is to create awareness on the importance of reading because our reading culture is very poor in Nigeria, compared to other countries in the world,” she said.
The national librarian said the National Library was determined to build a society dependent on knowledge, stressing that what currently existed was just an oral society.
“We are starting with the school children, to let them know that besides reading for examinations, they should read at all times. We want to target mothers, too, so that they can start reading books to their children, right from the womb,” she said.
The national librarian added that the campaign was held in 23 states, where the National Library has branches in the country, noting that the campaign could, however, not be held in Borno, Yobe and Rivers states.
The readership campaign, which started in June, was launched in Taraba, Abia, Edo and Bauchi states. The grand finale will hold in Abuja before the end of September.
