KHAIRUN Organized Annual Readership Promotion Campaign, Lunched Book Club And KIJjCL..
By Bala Salihu Dawakin kudu
0n October 26, 2024
Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, the National President and CEO of the National Library, underscored the significance of reading as a critical life skill in her presentation, titled Reading as a Barrier Breaker and Excellence Propeller:
The Role of Stakeholders in Sustaining the Culture of Reading. Her address was part of the annual Readership Promotion Campaign organized by the University Library of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano, in partnership with the National Library of Nigeria.
Professor Anunobi emphasized that reading is not merely a cultural activity but an intellectual exercise that shapes the brain, enhances connectivity, broadens vocabulary, and improves language comprehension. She noted that reading also aids in critical thinking, problem-solving, mental agility, and creativity.
Highlighting the role of society, she called on community leaders and stakeholders to actively support a culture of reading, ensuring an environment conducive to knowledge and personal growth that also contributes to societal development. She also encouraged collective efforts from the government and stakeholders to provide the necessary resources to tackle Nigeria’s reading crisis and improve access to books.
Professor Abdurrashid Garba, Vice Chancellor of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, addressed the audience, explaining that the annual event aims to promote reading habits among students and staff. He emphasized the importance of library hours within school timetables, creating space for leisure reading, and encouraging students to engage with printed materials rather than relying solely on digital content.
The University Librarian, Malam Nazir Muhammad, noted that the event was organized to inspire both enthusiastic and reluctant readers to foster reading habits that enhance vocabulary and academic skills. He announced the launch of two initiatives—a Book Club and the Khairun International Journal of Contemporary Librarianship—to further strengthen reading capacities and encourage contributions from staff for publication.
Professor Abdullahi Muhammad Dawakin Kudu, the librarian of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the campaign and encouraged secondary school students to consider careers in Library Science and Information Technology.
Students, educators, and librarians from various institutions attended the campaign, which promoted the collaborative efforts needed to nurture a reading culture in Nigeria’s academic landscape.
