Prolific author and convener of Read with Me on International Literacy Day, Foluke Sijuwola Falayi, has enjoined stakeholders to make reading fun as the World Book Day is marked today.
She noted in a statement on Tuesday ahead of her programme:
Nigeria would be a reading nation if majority of her citizens improve reading culture.
But, it is sad that the most populous African nation can’t be classified as a reading nation yet. Nigeria is not a reading nation. This is because most Nigerians do not read.
Many students, the moment they graduate, jokingly tell you they want to be making money and not reading books. That’s ignorant all-out.
The treasures in books would not only make you rich but also wealthy.
Reading is lifelong. On this occasion of World Book Day, I want to appeal to Nigerians, let’s make commitment to reading. Make reading fun. Find enjoyment in reading like you do when you watch indigenous movies. If you cultivate this habit, you would discover reading would give you more benefits than you have in films. Benefits in reading surpass what movies would give you.
Some of the advantages of reading:
When you read, it helps in other areas of life.
Reading makes you know about the experiences of people, culture and traditions. A reader is enlightened.
You can educate yourself by just developing a love for reading.
You are smarter and better than an average people you meet on daily basis. I’m yet to see an activity that empowers more than reading.
A reader is well informed, refined, polished in behaviour.
A reader never lacks what to do even in economic meltdown since books open eyes to the hidden wealth around us. A reader is never in shortage of ideas.
I want to appeal to government and other stakeholders to make books available in the libraries and in schools. Invest in book clubs and reading organisations.
When books are readily available and accessible, we would doubtlessly record high productivity, economy growth.
Health of the people would improve. Education system will be sound. We would see growth, evolution and experience change in other areas of economy.
Keep reading.
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Foluke Sijuwola Falayi, is an author of over twenty books. She is a Nigerian novelist, a playwright, a poet and a literacy advocate.
Her books, over the years, have been in curricular of south western states’ ministries of education, as texts used in schools for reading and exams.
Her play, ‘The Slaves in the Palace’, is currently being studied at Departments of African Studies in some universities in Africa.
She has made significant contributions to Nigerian-African literature and education.
Her other works and contributions are: Beans for Supper, The Pride of Parents, ‘Rainy Day, Flub, Ugo and Ify at Christmas, Ada in Port Harcourt, Unbending Steel, Gift from Ibadan, The Slaves in the Palace, Akeju’s Turnaround, ‘Reverend’s daughter, A Night at Edet’s House, The Headmaster’s Boy, Bond, Sam Goes to College, Last penny, Trouble in the Exam, One Two Three Poetry, Repose, Happy time.
Foluke is the convener of “Read with Me on International Literacy Day”, an annual September event which promotes literacy.
She read English Arts and Mass Communications at the University of Ado and National Open University of Nigeria – undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
