By; Buhari B Bello, Jos.
A non governmental Organization known as Read, Learn and Grow literacy Organization of Nigeria has flag-off a campaign aimed at promoting the importance of reading culture which is gradually dying in the land.
Founder of the Organization who is also a senior lecturer at the Department of English in University of Jos, Dr. Ijeoma G Ayuba said the body was established to promote reading culture among Nigerians and to create a platform for innovation as well as productivity through reading habit.
According to her, the event also targeted secondary school students aimed at promoting best international reading especially because of the challenges facing literacy level in the country.
“Nigeria is estimated to have a population of over 180 million people as at today , adolescents and young adult account for 64.9% of the total population, making Nigeria with a highly youthful population.
“Adult and youth literacy based on the six Geo-political zones. Northeast 30%, north west 31%, North central 42%, south east 65, south- west 73% and south-south 63%. “.
She remarked “that the greatest asset a nation can have is an upright, enlightened and educated people “.
The lecturer noted that following the challenges confronting the nation’s educational system due to incessant decline in reading culture among students, is need for deliberate and concerted effort to promote learning culture in the country.
According her, such is not feasible in the light of high rate of examination malpractice in the country, and decried the mass failure recorded in internal as well as external examination.
Such development, she explained coupled with lack of functional school libraries, non inclusion of libraries in the time table of primary and secondary schools contributed to the failure of standard education.
Also speaking at the event, the Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong represented by the commissioner for higher education, Alex Mairiga said the regime is repositioning the educational system in the state.
