May 2, 2018

Prof Lenrie Aina, Chief Librarian, National Library of Nigeria (NLN), on Wednesday raised concerns on the influence of social media on the reading culture of Nigerians.

The chief librarian made the remarks at the Readership Promotion Campaign organised by the National Library for students of selected schools in Lafia, Nasarawa state.

Aina, who was represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Yue Augustine, said that reading culture was rapidly declining among Nigerians because of Internet addiction, among others.

He said Nigerians now spend more time browsing the internet than reading books.

“Our campaign will help in identifying obstacles that inhibits reading and proffer ways of tackling it.

“We will continue to embark on readership promotion campaigns for children, youths and women, who are leaders of tomorrow.

“The campaign will be by way of sensitising, educating and advancing knowledge through various activities,’’ he said.

The chief librarian said that the NLN was sensitising expectant women to start imbibing the reading culture to their unborn babies, right from the womb.

He advised Nigerians to imbibe a life-long reading culture, and not to just read because of the need to pass examinations.

Earlier, the state Chief Librarian, Fifkatu Isa, urged schools to introduce reading clubs in their schools in order to promote reading.

Isa urged people to reduce the time spent in browsing on the social media and invest such time in reading.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prizes comprising desktop computers, books and other items were presented to the best students and schools from the debate competition held at the event.