By Goodluck Ikiebe
UNESCO says that over twenty million out of school children are in Nigeria as the National Library of Nigeria Launches campaign to promote reading culture.
The National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, said at the launch in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday that the 2024 Annual Readership Promotion Campaign (RPC), is an initiative rooted in its statutory mandate.
“This campaign is a clarion call to all Nigerians to embrace reading, not only as a tool for literacy but as a catalyst for social change, economic advancement, and national growth.
“The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has graciously flagged off the 2024 RPC on the 19th of September, marking the beginning of a nationwide effort to rekindle the reading culture”.
“Today, the Campaign is ongoing in all the South Western states. This year’s campaign, themed “Reading Without Boundaries: A Renewed Hope”, speaks directly to the need for inclusivity in reading and the breaking down of barriers to access to reading. These barriers include the medium (Print/Electronic), geographical (rural/urban), social, or linguistic.
She noted that the campaign aims at reawakening of hope in the hearts of every Nigerian, especially those in hinterlands (hard-to-reach) areas that they too must read and grow.
“The Campaign helps to cultivate a lifelong love for reading by making good reading materials accessible to all, especially the marginalized. This year, we aim to take the campaign further, transcending geographical limitations and ensuring that books, resources, and literacy programs reach every corner of the country.
According to her, “the event is part of a series of similar engagements that will take place in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to underscore our commitment to this cause”.
“Our focus for 2024 is to push beyond boundaries—whether they are physical, educational, or societal. As we gather here today, I am reminded of the millions of out-of-school children, the marginalized adults, the underserved communities, and the vulnerable groups that often find themselves excluded from mainstream educational opportunities.
“And we know that illiteracy among adults remains a significant challenge. It is in light of these realities that we have expanded this campaign to truly reach every Nigerian”, she assured.
“Our focus on inclusivity brings us into partnership with traditional rulers, and community influencers, who will help to drive this reading revolution. Like we did in 2023, we have taken the campaign to the royal palaces, the hinterlands, and the underserved areas, where communities have been provided with essential reading materials, whiteboards, markers, and learning tools to kick-start and sustain basic literacy. For this, we are immensely grateful to supportive stakeholders’, who have joined hands with us in this noble endeavor to foster literacy at the grassroots.
Professor Chinwe Anunobi opined that this year’s campaign is not just about reading for the sake of literacy, it is about renewed hope. Hope for those who have been excluded from formal education due to geographic or social barriers.
Hope for communities that have long been overlooked in national development plans. Hope for the millions of children and adults who are now being given the tools to read, learn, and thrive.
When we say “Reading without Boundaries,” we are also addressing the language barriers that often prevent many from engaging in meaningful reading.
“Reading is not confined to the English language alone. Our indigenous languages are rich and deserve equal recognition in this reading renaissance. Therefore, our campaign encourages reading in mother tongues, fostering a deeper connection between readers and their cultural heritage, while promoting literacy across all levels.
To break the barrier of medium, we are 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.
“For those who are tech enthusiasts an array of electronic/digital resources are now available through the Virtual Library of Nigeria application, please visit the virtual library to avail yourself with our rich digital collections ranging from Newspapers, Books, Journals, Reports, Videos and many other resources. The virtual library can be accessed via https://virtuall.nln.gov.ng/
The “Renewed Hope” embedded in this year’s theme also reflects our belief that reading can be the answer to many of the societal challenges we face today. Insecurity, unemployment, poverty, and even mental health issues can be alleviated by fostering a strong reading culture. Through reading, we can empower our citizens with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving abilities that will serve them not only as individuals but also as contributors to national development.
A good reading culture is essential to building informed, independent, and responsible citizens. As we promote this culture, we must recognize its far-reaching benefits: reading improves vocabulary, stimulates creativity, reduces stress, boosts cognitive function, and ultimately builds emotional intelligence. In essence, reading shapes not only the mind but also the soul, enabling individuals to better navigate life’s complexities and make informed decisions.
Professor Anunobi stated, “The Annual Readership Promotion Campaign is not a one-off event but the start of a movement aimed at creating sustainable change. We are establishing community book clubs, supporting volunteer networks, and working closely with schools, community leaders, and corporate bodies to ensure that this campaign leaves a lasting impact. I invite every Nigerian to join us on this journey. Let us make reading a habit that transcends boundaries and drives national growth.
“As the saying goes, “A reader today is a leader tomorrow. The opportunities for success are limitless when you cultivate a love for books.
Together, we can build a nation of readers, and by doing so, a nation of leaders”, She added.
In a welcome address, the head of Ondo State Branch, National Library of Nigeria, Prince Ajani Akinlolu, noted that the 2024 Readership Promotion Campaign initiative has been instrumental in fostering a reading culture and awareness among Nigerian Children and indeed its citizens.
“Initially, it was held just in one location until a few years ago when management thought it wise to hold it in all the states of the federation irrespective of whether there is a branch location there or not.Today we gather under the theme ‘Reading Without Boundaries: A Renewed Hope’. This sub-theme aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing the transformative power of Education and reading in Nigeria”.
Prince Akinlolu stated, “As we embark on this journey, we recognize the boundless potential within each of you. Reading knows no borders, no limits, and no constraints.
“It unlocks doors to new worlds, ignites imagination, and nurtures critical thinking”, he added.
“Through this campaign, we aim to Rekindle the joy of reading; Develop a culture of lifelong learning; Empower you with knowledge and skills; Foster a sense of National Unity and Pride.”
“As part of this programme, you will be involved in reading competition/debate that test skills of reading and total presentation. You also have the opportunity to explore the vast resources of our National Library.
According to him, “We have established two (2) literacy centres in Igbara-Oke, the headquarters of Ifedore Local Government and Ogbe High School, Oda Town in Akure South Local Government Area, as a complimentary to rural literacy advocacy”.
“Let us reignite the spark of reading and unlock a brighter future for ourselves, our
communities, and Nigeria”, Prince Ajani Akinlolu concluded.
