The National Library Of Nigeria (NLN)has opened a reading club named “Iguo Imara” in Bende local government area of Abia State to encourage the promotion of indigenous language in the country.
This was part of the activities marking 2022 readership promotion campaign tagged”Reading as a panacea for societal problem”.
In her welcome address,the National Librarian/Chief executive officer , Professor.Chinwe Veronica Anunobi stated that this year readership promotion campaign was designed to awaken reading consciousness among Nigerians by way of promoting the availability and use of good materials by all and sundry as well as collectively seek solution to the obstacles to reading culture in Nigeria.
Anunobi who was represented by the Deputy Director, international standard and program department,Mr Ahonsi Kenneth further disclosed that this year campaign is expected to impact on the indigenous people”the hand to reach”, the out of school children as well as the uneducated adults and internally displace people.
” Reading must also include learning to read and write in mother tongues.So we are taking the campaign to Royal palace to meet Royal father’s who will drive the project in those communities”,he further stated.
He also said that the reading clubs opened in the schools will enable students learn the basis of reading in their mother languages, appreciate and be able to recognize their geographical location as well other basic literacy and numeracy.
Ahonsi stated that reading improves emotional intelligence, engender global tour self awareness and a stepping stone to self actualization. Emphasizing that the more you read, the more you know,and the more you know, the more you grow.
In his speech the head of branch, National Library Of Nigeria, Abia State branch,Mr Ugo G. Ukejianya disclosed that the 2022 national wide readership campaign was to the ‘hard to reach’ communities in order to carry them along on the journey of national orientation.
According to Ukejianya, the objective of the campaign includes wide publicity,creation of awareness, stimulation of interest of public on reading,boosting reading culture,reaching the unreached and access to knowledge and information among others.
The program featured students participation in spelling drill, reading competition and other academic programmes.
Ukejianya further said that the reading club opened in different school is aimed at enhancing reading culture among the students.Different school within Bende local government area including Community school Bende, central primary school Bende and Grammar school participated in the reading exercise and reading club established in their school.
In his own speech also,the Executive secretary Bende local government area,Prince Ibuchi Okoro stated that indigenous language especially igbo language is going into extinction as such there is need for both parents and teachers to encourage speaking of igbo language both at home and in the schools.
He enumerated dangers in students concentrating leisure reading more than functional reading while encouraging teachers and parents to help checkmate what their students read especially in this weather of social media smartphones.
Different resource personnels including the perm.sec.Abia state ministry of education Mr Eze Ajuzie represented by Director quality assurance ministry of education Mrs Justina Umajigba,
the deputy University librarian, Michael okpara University of Agriculture umudike (MOUAU)and Associate Professor,Dr C.A Okezie, all enumerated the benefits of reading as reading has the capacity to curb societal problems.
According to Dr okezie, reading has the ability to solve societal problems by helping citizens develop self control,as through reading one learns to identify problems,ask questions and proffer solutions.
The program also featured the presentation of gifts and awards to students and schools that participated in the reading and spelling competition.
A JSS 3 student, Chinonyerem Ezechukwu from Grammar junior secondary school came first in the reading competition and was presented with an educational tablet other winners included Ekeoma marvellous and Chieke Chidirim,Ogbonnaya Ibekwe and Emmanuel Kalu while Anayo Ikechukwu came first in spelling competition.
