Speakers at the presentation of a book titled, “Say It and Do It,” have bemoaned consistent poor reading culture, admonishing youths to read more to deepen their knowledge.
The book is authored by a television presenter, Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe.
Leading the charge, the chairman of the event, Abumere Ehimen implored the youth to take reading seriously.
“I encourage Nigerian youth to read, not just this book, but all kinds of books. When you read, it opens up your mind and helps you discover your hidden talents.”
A close associate of the author, Dr Bello Osigwe, lamented that society often pays more attention to political memoirs than to books that offer real solutions to societal issues.
“I would have preferred that books like this receive more attention than what we had when former military president Babangida launched his book.
“This is the kind of book we need; one that enlightens and equips people for real-life challenges,” Osigwe said.
He criticised the prevailing attitude toward education in Nigeria, blaming the government for failing to prioritise knowledge acquisition.
He said, “The problem today is that young people are no longer interested in reading because of the government’s lack of commitment to education. Many youths now see politics as the fastest way to wealth, rather than acquiring knowledge to build a better future.”
The author, Ehigiamusoe, said reading is a powerful tool for personal and societal growth.
While acknowledging the peculiarities of today’s digital age, Ehigiamusoe advised Nigerians to read more physical books, in case they find themselves in an environment where there’s no network to read on their tablets.
“Reading is knowledge, and knowledge is power. When you read, you gain insight into various aspects of life. So, I strongly encourage young people to develop the habit of reading.”
Addressing concerns about the dwindling reading culture among Nigerian youth, she acknowledged the dominance of digital gadgets but emphasised the irreplaceable value of books.
She added, “Some people prefer to read electronically, and that’s not bad. However, having a physical book is very important because, sometimes, you might not have access to the internet. But your book is always with you, you can easily read and keep yourself engaged.”
She said the book is a compilation of insights from various discussants on her decade-long programme titled, “Vivid View.”
The book, she added, addressed critical aspects of life, including marriage, morality, discipline, patriotism, and entrepreneurship.
“There’s a lot to learn from this book because it covers so many issues. We talk about marriage, morality, discipline, keeping promises, patriotism, and even encouraging Nigerian youth to embrace entrepreneurship rather than waiting for white-collar jobs,” Ehigiamusoe said.
