NLN boss seeks introduction of national reading day in schools
Concerned by the poor reading culture amongst youth in Nigeria, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of National Library, Professor Chinwe Anunobi has called for introduction of a National Reading Day and mandatory Library Hour in both private and public schools across the country. Anunobi made the call during the weekend at an interactive meeting with journalists as part of activities lined up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of National Library of Nigeria. She explained that the National Reading Day would provide opportunity to raise awareness and promote reading culture in the country, adding that the mandatory Library Hour is a creation of National Policy on Education as it affects the curriculum implementation but has never been enforced. “One of the ways to improve on reading culture in Nigeria is to have a National Reading Day. We can have the President read to the nation on that day. We have also advocated for reintroduction of Library Hour in schools, it’s a creation of National Policy on Education. I understand some public schools observe it but this must be enforced in all schools whether private or public,” she stated.