Nigerian Library Association, (NLA) National President, Dr Umunna Opara, has called on the Federal Government to build libraries in public primary schools nationwide to arrest the poor reading culture prevalent among youths.
Opara, who disclosed this in Lagos during the 55th general conference of the association, regretted that youths have been lured from reading which, according to him, is their primary assignment, to other social vices because of poor library system at the beginning of their first contact with education.
“These lapses on the part of the government has created a poor reading culture we are experiencing among our youths. If they started very early, they might have formed the habit of reading unconsciously and they will carry it on when they get to secondary schools.”
Opara continued: “There is a national problem on our hand. We cannot grow the country economically, socially and politically without a good reading culture. Everybody is talking about the decline in the standard of education; it is our negative attitude to reading. The younger generation is no longer reading, they do not see it as something needed to succeed in their future endeavours.”
Opara who blamed government, parent and the society for the development, lamented that the society has become materialistic and that parent are spending a fortune on ostentatious lifestyle that has no value in the their wards’ development
“They (parents) are careless on intellectual materials that will give their children a future.
“Unlike in days of old, the libraries are not as patronising as they should be. The reason is simple – at primary and secondary levels; library is not accorded its rightful place. The Government is not ready to build library in primary school where pupils will inculcate reading habit from the beginning.” he regretted.
“The consequence of all these inadequacies is the high rate of crime and social decadence in the society. The materialist tendency in the society is a pointer to these younger ones that there is a short cut to success
“Imagine the younger ones want to migrate to Europe without any clear cut vision or career to pursue, but just going for going sake and by the time the lucky ones get there, they cannot cope and therefore engaged in all forms of crime to succeed; the unlucky ones perish in the desert. This is the situation we find ourselves. Youths are no longer thinking outside the box. When you are equipped intellectually it will propel ideas that will make you stand out,” he added.
He explained that the theme of the conference: ‘’Libraries in promotion of national integration for development’ is germane as no nation could develop without a good library system that will shape the thinking and orientation of the youths towards a secured future.
“Sadly enough, internets have replaced their library! Some spend hours to chat on irrelevances. If this precious time is used in the library, the youths will be better equipped intellectually to face the daunting challenges in their environment. The resources in the library are carefully selected for the good use of the children therefore no matter how many hours they spend, it will be educative.
“The government should invest in e-library for the development of the younger ones. We are advocating school library in all the primary schools in the country, this should be backed up by law, by so doing the kids will imbibe the spirit of reading culture. From that age if it is in their system.”
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