2023 Readership Campaign Holds in Bayelsa, Librarian Advocates for Culture of Reading

The National Library of Nigeria has organized the 2023 Annual Readership Promotion Campaign in Bayelsa State with a call on all to cultivate the culture of reading.

National Librarian, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi made the call during the program which held at the Community Hall, Amarata, Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.

Professor Anunobi represented by Mr Odine Innocent stated that the campaign is to awake the consciousness of Nigerians on reading for sustainable growth and development particularly for young people.

” Reading culture has been on the decline not because of inadequate educational resources or books but preference for other things such as the social media”

He emphasized that the National Library was set up to provide books and vital educational resources for deep learning hence all persons should use the opportunity of the availability of libraries to enrich their knowledge.

” The more one reads, the more it is easier to know, the more it is easier to deal with complex situations in the family and the society”

He urged all stakeholders in the state and federal government to promote reading at all levels as he also called on parents to read and encourage their children to read regularly.

Also speaking, Head of National Library of Nigeria, Bayelsa State branch, Mr Nwabueze Nwoko stated that reading is one of the most important life skills which should be a continuous process for all persons.

Mr Nwoko who spoke on the theme: Read your way to the top” pointed out that the Readership Campaign which started in 2017 across all states in the country was necessary to encourage all persons to read including those in correctional facilities and other public places.

Chief Executive Officer, ENWAF Lady Eunice Nnachi expressed appreciation to the organizers of the event saying it is a laudable initiative as reading would help young people to build their capacities for a better future.

While speaking on the 16 days of Activism, Lady Nnachi encouraged all the students and youths present at the event to desist from all forms of physical and verbal abuse that could lead to gender based violence.

In his goodwill message, prolific indigenous writer, Mr Lambert Ototo who re-emphasized the importance of reading, noted that young people are vibrant and energetic hence, they should read daily and keep themselves informed about the latest developments in the society.

Mr Ototo equally advised the students to have a reading time for themselves and learn to use dictionaries while reading to help them study better.

Highpoint of the event was the establishment of a Literacy Center in Amarata Community.
Students from Apex Academy came tops after an accumulation of results from the Reading and Spelling Competition.
There was also presentation of books to all students present at the event.

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