BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

The absence of functional public libraries across the country has been identified as a key reason for the continued decline in the general performance of students in SSCE, UTME and various examinations in Nigeria over the years.

Asserting this claim at a recent reading competition between secondary students in Lagos State, stakeholders in the education and non-profit social service sectors lamented the deplorable state of library services in the country, reiterating that the generation which produced the likes of Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka had functional and accessible public libraries.

Speaking at the event organised by Rotary International District 9110 in commemoration of Rotary’s Literacy Week, Kayode Aderinokun, former chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors and Chairman, Book Project Committee, Rotary District 9110, emphasised the need for a better articulated focus from government at various levels as he also noted the importance of private sector support.

“Government has a very huge role in this, especially in the formulation of policies. Look at the budget for example; the amount allocated for defence is outrageously far above what is allocated for education! This, however, does not undermine the relevance of the support of the private sector. In countries like the United States, the contribution of the private sector to educational development far exceeds that of government,” he said.

According to Rotarian Kamoru Omotosho, Governor, Rotary District 9110, with the dearth of public libraries, students have adjusted to the patronage of film adaptation of certain books, thereby sabotaging unconsciously their imaginative and creative abilities.

“With films taking the place of books, we find young people becoming lazy and more relaxed. Their imaginations are not challenged because they do not have to put in any effort into understanding what they are watching, whereas, reading stimulates imagination and helps bring the best out of them.”

Bolstering the views of the Rotarians, Principal, Nigeria Model High School, Dr. Kunle Labinjo, who affirmed that public libraries eased educational needs in the past, called on all stakeholders, including parents, to prioritise the restoration of the reading culture for the benefit of the nation’s development.