First Lady urges Nigerians to revive reading culture

Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has advised Nigerians to revive reading culture amidst rapid evolution of Information Communication Technology in the country.

Buhari made the call at the Public Presentation of a book titled; Re-Engineering the Reading Culture in our Society” in Abuja on Tuesday.

She was represented at the occasion by Mrs Mairo Almakura, wife of Nasarawa state governor.

“The dominance of electronic gadgets as a result of technological advancement has made us to deviate from our habit of reading.

“We as citizens need to return to the old days of reading books and literature in spite of the advancement for enhanced knowledge and communication skills,” Buhari said.

In her address, Mrs Winifred Otto-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, said that reading opens the door to new information.

“It is not too late to return to the good old days as people can strive to balance between book and the internet.

“Without reading, the entry of new information to the mind is closed,” she said, adding that the major pathway to achieving efficient and incorruptible civil service was through reading.

The author of the book, Mrs Vivian Okpara, said that she put her wealth of experience as a librarian in writing the book.

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She added that her experience as a seasoned librarian, had made her realise that there was decline in reading culture in Nigeria.

Okpara, Director of Library in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, said that her book would promote the revitalisation and boosting of reading culture in the country.

She urged Nigerians to identify with the book and appreciate the role of reading in advancing service delivery in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the book, with eight chapters and 126 pages, was reviewed by Mrs Shuaibu Adamu, Director Collection Development and Processing Department, National Library of Nigeria.