Our Reporter, Abuja
The National Librarian/CEO, National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, has challenged Abuja residents to take seriously the idea of book reading to revive and sustain the reading culture in Nigeria.
She made made the call on Thursday in her remarks as Co-Host, at the flag off of Abuja Book City 2025 project, organised by Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), which held at TETFUND Auditorium, Abuja.
Speaking at the event themed, “Reading: A Unifying Factor,” Professor Anunobi said books unite people, build bridges and open the mind to endless possibilities.
“In NLN we see reading to be more than a personal habit—but a social force, a bridge across divides, and indeed, a unifying factor in our richly diverse nation. We hold and believe that books open our minds to the endless possibilities of human advancement, development of empathy and fostering of critical thinking.
“If you don’t read, do not think others are not reading. Others are reading. Recently, Sweden said no more digital devices, that they are going back to the books. So they moved ahead of us and saw that they are diving into the sea and they came back.” She advised parents to have reading time with their children and not allow them to spend all the time watching television. She also advised parents to cultivate the habbit of reading now and make books their companion if not for anything, for old age when the children would have gone and one would be left with only the books and may not be able to watch the TV.
“If you don’t make books your friend now, you will find it difficult that time to read.”
“Thank God we now have audio books; if you cannot read, you can listen. The message is not only for the young ones, it is for all of us.
“Please always make book your companion. Somebody said the only thing they do not steal is book, but it cannot be true. You may lose it and another person will take it. Somebody may look at it and say let me see what is inside and the person may become interested. So I mplore you all to to do books by writing books. Some of you may regret it because you did not do it. Encourage people coming up. You can write books, that is doing books; you can share books, that is doing books.
“I challenge all Abuja residents to begin to read books.
“Even if you pick Chike and the River, that is something; even if you pick Eze goes to School, that’s beautiful. Start somewhere and you will be amazed the difference it will make in your life,” she said.
Professor Anunobi also said that the flag off of the project took root in her office, the National Library of Nigeria, on August 20, 2024, with symbolic unveiling of the event logo.
“Today’s event took root in the National Library of Nigeria with the symbolic unveiling of its logo on the 20th of August, 2024 in the boardroom of the NLN marking the beginning of the yearlong project. This is in demonstration of our unwavering commitment to promoting books, reading, literacy and the diverse Nigeria’s intellectual heritage which we jealously preserve for the past, present and future generations.
“The National Library of Nigeria proudly identifies with the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), a committed partner in our shared mission of reviving and sustaining a reading culture in Nigeria. We commend the Network for its dynamic Book-City initiative, which has steadily gained national recognition—from Uyo to Lagos, to Yenagoa, and now, to our capital city, Abuja. Each city has carried the torch with pride, and we are confident that Abuja, the heartbeat of our nation, will take it to greater heights…”
In a goodwill message, the President of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Pastor D. Omokaro, affirms his organisation’s support for NBRP and their commitment to promoting reading culture and literacy. He also said it was high time the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) owned the project.
“It is time for Abuja to be the reading capital of the country,” he said.
In her own goodwill message, Dr Aishat Umar, representative of the Nigerian Centre for Reading, Research and Development at the Bayero University (BUK) Kano, wondered over what had gone wrong these days with the reading culture and said the Abuja Book City 2025 project came at the right time to promote reading culture.
Also, the former chief of army staff, General Tukur Buratai represented by Dr N.S. Abubakar, praised the NBRP on the flag off and pledged the readiness of the Buratai Peace Centre to partner NBRP on the Book City project.
In his keynote, Dr John Asein, Director General & CEO, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), represented by Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike, lauded the efforts of the organisers of the Abuja Book City 2025 project and assured that the Commission is doing its best to fight those stealing the intellectual property of writers by pushing for more stringent punishment for offenders. He said the time when copyrights offenders were handed mere slaps on their wrists was over. He, however, urged creators to also do their own due diligence and provide information to the body regarding those they suspect to be pirating their works.
Other goodwill messages came from Book sellers Association of Nigeria (BAN); Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA); Dr Nyaknno Abasi; NBRP coordinator for Bauchi among others.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Host of the event, Chief ‘Loye Oloowokere, said the flag off marked “a significant milestone in our journey to create a vibrant literary hub that celebrates the power of books and reading.”
He said the theme of the event was an attempt to seek common grounds through reading books.
“The theme of the Book-City Project is “Reading, a Unifying Factor”, implying that through reading, people and members of the society find a common ground to interact. Reading is a bridge that binds people together, irrespective of cultures, background, religion, ages etc.”
He also listed the objectives of the project to include: “to encourage the love for reading;” “promoting cultural diversity;” and “facilitate community engagement.”
Oloowokere furthere enumerated the various activities that predated the flag off, describing the project as a long journey that will not terminate with the Thursday flag off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, today’s event marks the beginning of an eventful and exciting journey in the book ecosystem in the FCT and we call on everyone to be a book lover and join us to work together to make the Book-City Project a beacon of literary excellence in the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general.”
The main highlight of the event was the official flag off performed by Senator Ekong Sampson, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, who was represented by Mr Paul Kapnan Nanvyap.
Other highlights were the gift of a book to every guest at the event by NBRP; cultural dance presentation by Model Junior Secondary School Maitama; and Reading & Comprehension competition by seven public schools in Abuja. In the contest, the JSS Apo came first, the second position went to JSS Lokogoma, while JSS Area 2 Abuja came third.
In his vote of thanks, Dr Chido Onumah, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Abuja Book City project, described the turnout at the flag-off as “phenomenal,” and thanked all the partners, promoters, stakeholders and the guests for making the event a huge success.
