By kehinde Oluwatayo

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The National Library of Nigeria, Ondo State branch yesterday began the celebration of this year’s readership promotion campaign for pupils, teachers and parents in Akure.
Speaking on the rational behind the annual programme, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer, National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi said it was to sensitise students in particular and create awareness about readership in Nigeria.
Anunobi who was represented by a Deputy Director and Head of Branch, Oyo State branch, Mrs Titilola Akinbola noted that the organisation discovered that students were failing their examinations because they were no longer reading.
According to her, Nigerians then preferred watching films and pressing their phones to reading.
“When we discovered that students and Nigerians generally were no longer interested in reading, we came up with readership promotion campaign in 1981.
“But the elaborate one started five years ago where we have it yearly and in all states of the federation. And we can say that we are seeing results”, she said.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr Gboyega Omotola called on all and sundry to join the national library in the promoting readership at all levels.
According to him, reading is a very good foundation for further development and a tool to lead the entire world.
While speaking on the need to teach in indigenous languages, Omotola said teaching in one’s indigenous language makes it easier to learn and comprehend.
He said people like Prof Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe were brought up in their indigenous languages adding that China and the rest went back to their languages to make learning easy for their children.
Head of Branch, National Library of Nigeria, Ondo state branch, Mr Akanni Salawu stated that the goal of the annual event is to entrench effective reading culture in Nigerian society.
According to him, the event could not be held in the usual elaborate way because of the outbreak of coronavirus.
The theme of this year’s event is “Building a Nation of Readers: share your story.”
The event which started yesterday featured ‘Read aloud to children and pupils; will continue with a radio talk on Positive FM on Thursday by 11.30am to 12.00 noon and donation of books to custodial/correctional centre later.