Advocating Habitual Reading: A Panacea for Engendering Reading Culture in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The paper examined the concept of reading culture and provided an insight into the issue of habitual reading in Nigeria. Benefits of reading were found in some factors like self-emancipation; empowerment; reduction of stress; enhancement of tranquility; improvement of analytical thinking; memory update; enhanced writing skills; development of verbal abilities and entertainment value. The paper x-rayed the need for persistent advocacy for reading culture bearing in mind the role of reading in information, knowledge, national development, socioeconomic transformation, individual life-long development and survival in a society. Factors responsible fbr the poor reading culture in Nigeria were identified to include loss of interest in reading; inadequate attention from parents; government policy and educational reform that do not give adequate provision for library development; inadequacy of libraries; over-indulgence in leisure (watching television, use of phones, internet and other social media); neglect for public libraries; incessant power outage; cost of publications et cetera. Recommendations discussed include sustenance of government programmes and policies like the 'bring back the book* initiative and the e-library project; up scaling of the National library readership promotion campaign; reduction of time for leisure; provision of functional libraries to be manned by professional librarians; inclusion of private libraries in residential homes; offering book gifts to children instead of video games and toys. It was concluded that a synergy of efforts from all stake holders such as the library, writers, publishers, parents, teachers, government, individuals, philanthropists, and NGOs is required in order to promote habitual reading in Nigeria