World Book Day: NPA, NCC Frown At The Sorry State of Libraries in Nigeria

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has advised Nigerians especially her leaders across all spheres, on the importance of reading and promotion of reading culture.

The President of the Nigerian Publishers Association, Dr Uchenna Cyril Anioke, made this on Saturday while briefing newsmen in Enugu, during the commemoration of this year’s World world Book and Copyright Day.

Speaking on the theme of the event, Read, so you never feel alone, Dr Anioke stated the importance of reading to the development of personal capabilities, knowledge as well as transferring of innovations to people that can last for generations.

He stated that, every individual irrespective of position, academic or social status, is supposed to read at least, one book a week.

Hon Anioke posited that, lack of reading by our political leaders always portray in their leadership style because, the more one reads, the better he or she becomes.

According to him,
“Reading is an essential part of life because, we learn every day and the more you read, the more you know”.

“It is very pathetic and disheartening that Nigerians don’t read any more and those who do this, always find themselves at the position of leadership”.

“It has become imperative that, we read every day or at least once a week, to get abreast with new ideas and knowledge and avoid being in the dark”.

“Our country is like this because, we always give room for leaders who find it difficult to read”.

“How can we develop like that? We have seen leaders who are constant readers and how their leadership was, especially, those from the South West part of the country”.

“So, it is very important that the Government devices a means of making reading part of Nigerian culture as it has a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians both the way they think and do things”.

Dr Anioke also enjoined all and sundries, to inculcate the spirit of reading, so as to make our country better and by doing so, share more knowledge based information that will better our dear country.

He also emphasised on the importance of helping the less privileged by giving books to them as a way of encouraging them and giving them access to making their lives better.

“As we pick up a book to read in celebration of this year’s World Book and Copyright Day today, let us remember the youngsters, especially the underprivileged ones among us, and offer them something to read too as a sure means of human empowerment”

The President of the Nigerian Publishers Association, also commended the efforts of the Nigerian Senate following the amendment of the copyright Act, while also urging the federal House of Representatives to do same, as it would make reading attractive and promising to the reader.

He also frowned at the high rate of book piracy, which he said, is worse than armed robbery and thus, enjoined Government at all levels, to rehabilitate the public libraries which has been in comatose for ages and also, avoid making agencies that are in charge of our libraries, revenue generating ones.

“I thank the Nigerian Senate for amending the Copy Right act and I also plead with the House of representatives to do same”

“The importance of that law to the development of this country and also the book chain industry practitioners cannot be over emphasised”.

“Once approved by our National Assembly, we would start enjoying the gains, because, it would reduce to the barest minimum, book theft, which is a crime that is worse than armed robbery but, is being neglected and perpetrators, are somehow, being celebrated”.

“NPA is also calling for a total rehabilitation of our libraries by the Government at all levels, because, it is another major key in the quest to build the reading culture of our people especially, at the infant stage”

“Most of our libraries are in a serious sorry state due to gross negligence and it sometimes can be likened to the policy of some state and Local Governments, where they make Libraries a revenue generating source”.

Also Speaking, THE coordinator of South South /South East Directorate of the Nigeria Copyright Commission, Mrs Ngozi Okeke stated the importance of inculcating the spirit of reading in children so as to equip them with the necessary knowledge to grow.

She also stated the efforts of NCC in making sure that such an omen is maintained and sustained without hiccup.

“NCC supports children with books to build their reading culture and develop their technical know how.”

“We advise them to read one book a day because as a commission, we believe in catching the children young by giving them the right to right information through the right materials. “

“That’s why we partner with other bodies and regulators to support the children’s reading culture. “