Members of Imo 2024 Books Exhibition/ Reawakening Reading Culture with Prof. Johncliff Nwadike, Imo State Commissioner for Education.
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Considering the importance of reading in the socioeconomic development of any nation and worried by dwindling reading culture, especially among the youths, Imo State Government, IMSG has promised her willingness to partner with the Harmony Bookshop in her efforts to reawaken reading culture among students and Imo populace.
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Johncliff Nwadike disclosed this on Tuesday when the committee organizing the maiden “Imo 2024 Book exhibition/Reawakening Reading Culture Seminar” paid him a courtesy call in his office at the State Secretariat along Port Harcourt road, Owerri.
Speaking during the visit, the Committee Coordinator, Dr. Fidel Onyeneke who is the immediate past Special Adviser to the governor on Imo Orientation Agency, regretted that poor reading culture has been the bane of Nigeria economic and political woes, adding that the scourge has become worst with the invention of modern electronic gadgets like Phone.
Onyeneke who’s also former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council expressed with nostalgia how reading was in imperative among the youths in early 70s,80s,90s and even beyond and expressed worries on how students and youths of today shuns reading.
He predicted that, if reading culture is not seriously reawakened among Nigerian youths of today, there’s every tendency that phone could take the place of library in Nigeria and particularly, Imo State and that he also said could amount to moral and societal disaster.
While emphasizing on the need to revive the reading Culture, he sought for the collaboration of the State government through the Ministry of Education to organize the first ever Book exhibition in the State.
He said:”one can only learn by reading, the rich literacy history of Imo State is been eroded.” The decline in the standard of education has suffered from a dedicated strategic reading space like library.”
In his reaction, Nwadike expressed appreciation to the Committee members for coming up with such initiative.
The Commissioner pointed out that the society could not jettison reading, stressing that book exhibition is more important than book fair.
While decrying poor reading culture in Nigeria, he described it as a challenge.
According to him, “we need to develop literate citizens that are able to read widely and unlock the world treasures of knowledge, so as to attain the socio-economic heights of dream and aspiration.
According to him, “Online publication cannot displace book publishing.” Authors never die”.”the online publication is not helping the reading culture.” “I know, we have modern technology like phones and others, but we cannot do without book publishing, and of course, without books, we can’t move forward”.
While stating his commitment in collaborating with the team, he encouraged them to come up with a workable plans for its actualization.
In his remarks, the CEO of Harmony Bookshop, Mr. Ralph Uzowuihe said Education is dying in the country because people no longer read to improve their knowledge.
Uzowuihe expressed optimism that the program would provide a platform for Publishers across the country, authors to showcase their works and help book lovers and literary creativeness to connect with like minds.
Earlier during his introductory speech, the Secretary of the Committee, Chief Everest Ezihe highlighted the purpose of the visit and enjoined the State Government on the need for collaborative partnership.
A member of the Committee, Comrade Alex Ibeh who was part of the meeting expressed gratitude for a positive outcome of the session.
Ibeh solicited the support of all and sundry to ensure that the patriotic mission and vision of the committee is achieved and in the overall interest of the State.
