Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has decried the drop in the reading and writing culture amongst Nigerians, lamenting that most people got hooked to their phones and do not have time for reading and writing.
He noted that “a society that neglects sustaining an active reading and writing culture clearly risks the reversion of its existing literacy level to illiteracy over time as well as the inability of its citizens to fully explore, embrace and take advantage of the limitless opportunities offered by civilization. Poor reading and writing culture, would also preclude the existence of an enlightened citizenry, that can readily be mobilized for the attainment of political, social and economic goals of the nation”.
Ugwuanyi made this known on Tuesday when he received the members of ANIKEM Reading and Writing Foundation, Enugu, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo , Ugwuanyi noted that ” In an age where so much is believed to have gone wrong with the society due to the neglect, and therefore near total collapse of the culture of reading and writing, the formation of an organization dedicated to the promotion of the reading and writing culture by your caliber of people, is a most welcomed development.
He said that “The State government realises the need for the existence of a vibrant culture of reading and writing for the accelerated development of society and has therefore, been using its educational institutions of various levels to work towards achieving this goal ”
Ugwuanyi, who stressed the importance of reading and writing in the development of the society, disclosed that “Every school under our basic and secondary education system has been directed to launch a readership promotion campaign, which will help to inculcate the culture of reading in pupils and students.
“There is also an ongoing programme for the development and stocking of school. libraries and provision of internet , access to enable Online learning. Schools and local education authorities are also encouraging the establishment of book clubs in primary and secondary schools and among neighbourhood friends in addition to the introduction of devices and other aids that stimulate and foster good reading habits.”
Earlier in his address, the Secretary of the foundation, Professor Mike Ezeugu , said that the foundation “is truly academic, a lot of people cannot read and write because they use phone to type,…..”We are no. Longer making ourselves, we are making our younger ones .” He disclosed that as the foundation grows, they will come to ask for governments support for a secretariat, adding that the foundation tends to establish a scholarship scheme for brilliant children from poor homes.
Ezeugu said that they came to seek an approval from the State government .He intimated the governor that the foundation will be formally launched on November 28,2020.
An Author, a 400 level Law Student of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, Miss Munachimso Ezeilo, presented her book, titled, ” A Bee Bonnet”. She said the book was “a fiction set in Abuja”. It was set in Child marriage and domestic violence. She donated Twenty copies of the book to the foundation.
