Stakeholders Seek Improved Reading Culture Among Children

A recent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, says Nigeria now has about 20 million out-of-school children which is occasioned by insecurity.

The global data report said there are 244 million children and youth between the ages of six and 18 worldwide who are still out of school and Nigeria is one of the top three alongside India and Pakistan.

On this backdrop, stakeholders at the 41st annual convention of Association of Nigeria Authors in Abuja, harped on the need for parents to be intentional about the reading culture of their children.

For the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, represented by the Director, Department of Educational Planning Research and Development, Mrs Helen Wang, the ministry is not relenting in its mission of using education as a tool for fostering development in the country.

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, represented by his Chief of Staff, Tivlumun Njitse, on his part, challenged writers to churn out books that depict the country’s security challenges with a veiw to proffering speedy solution to the challenges in the country.

He charged them to remain committed to the task of ensuring that literature continues to add value to the nation’s corporate existence and imbibe a healthy reading culture in the younger generation.

The President of the Association, Camillus Ukah, stressed the need for writers to take up their correctional roles in shaping and reshaping the society through literature which he said can act as a catalyst for reawakening national consciousness and belief.

Daily News Reporters