By Coker Elujobade

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It is four years Akin Musa (not real name) left the University with a degree in Biology. Since then, he has never actually cared to learn anything seriously outside that which the university endowed him.

Perhaps, citizen Musa would have been more involved in the main streams of events in the society but for the fact that he teaches Junior Secondary School students in a large school. This has therefore reduced his knowledge in the subject by and large to the introductory level, a standard he must seriously maintain if he is ever to make good sense in front of the students.

Certainly, Akin is not the only victim of this plaque- intellectual mediocracy. By this is meant the evil effect that sets in as a result of the reading habit that is general with the average Nigerian worker. For example, the Doctor, Engineer, Trader e.t.c. Now this plaque is affecting our youths.

The reading habit of the youths is rapidly changing, not for the better, but obviously to such that must be arrested and improved, with the social media not helping the current situation. In case you are yet to understand the kernel of my argument, I am not saying that Nigeria is not producing enough school leavers at the end of every academic session. Far from it. In fact, there are more candidates for the West African Examination Council (WAEC)from Nigeria than any other country.

The issue that needs be addressed is the difference between what experts call utilitarian reading and general reading. By utilitarian reading is meant reading for the purpose of passing a particular examination. This is different from general reading, which is reading for pleasure, as away of spending one`s leisure; and it cuts across various subjects and disciplines.

For example, in the previous decades before 1980-1990, it was compulsory to pass English Language so as to qualify for a certificate from the West African Examination Council. Similarly, a pass in Mathematics is essential for a student to be in either division one or two no matter the aggregates.

Today, things have changed. Most of the subjects are now basically objective tests. Even subjects like History, Government that require basic interpretation of ideas are now set as objectives. Hence majority of the students are not committed to serious intellectual reading, even when such reading is for utilitarian purposes. The effect of this has been the noticeable decline in the reading culture of the people including children and young adults. The youngsters themselves need not be blamed. Take for example, a situation where the parents indulge in watching late night blue films with the belief that the children must have slept off normally by 11.30p.m. Rather, while the parents are glued to the sets, the children are busy peeping through the curtains.

Comparatively, the Federal Government and various state governments could be seen to be improving in their efforts towards the introduction and expansion of library services in the country. For example, states like Plateau, Ondo, Lagos, Kano, Imo, Rivers, and Kaduna have established state libraries equipped with books which are lent out to registered readers.

Other less optimistic members of the society are however of the view that with the ever-increasing presence of other media, such as the radio, television, and in particular, the social media, the general reading habits of our youths might not change radically.

Some even likened the Federal Government sponsored READERSHIP PROMOTION CAMPAIGNto some of those annual events, such as the Road Safety Campaign Week which are mainly observed in the urban centres.

Some of the schools principals interviewed were of the opinion that, if the standard of education in the country is to be palpably improved, more than much attention and effort is needed at the grassroots, particularly when the youths are at their formative stages of their lives. They suggest the National Library should co-ordinate more efficiently with the various local governments in the country. A few of the youths made known their views about the use of the local libraries around them. To some, the libraries are stocked with obsolete books that are of no relevance to their studies, how do you expect to go and read in that library when the best book on History there is on British Empire, when I am registered for West African History? queried an SS 3 student.

Again, the few philanthropists in the country are called upon to channel their contribution to this direction. In the Western societies, people contribute their widows mite, no matter the size of the contribution. A token of #20, 000can be used to equip a small room in a community town hall to be calledThe Childrens Library. Successful businessmen in the society, and men of means, can justify their responsiveness to the needs of the society.

This is how it is done in the European societies we try to emulate. Such money used are of more permanent linkage advantages to the society in general than the millions of naira spent to turn the back of a deceased great grandfather, which is a simple way of inviting the wrath of the armed bandits in our midst.

Coker Elujobade is a freelance reporter with The Hope.