8 REASONS FOR THE DEARTH OF THE READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA
Culture is projected through the outfits worn, greetings/exchange of pleasantries, marriage ceremonies, births and death ceremonies, business transactions, religious inclination and other social and moral dispositions. Culture brings about easy identification and assimilation into a group, and also distinguishes one from another group.
Since culture embodies the way of life of a particular group, can we boldly say that the reading culture is an integral part of our every day life, especially in teens and youths? Do Nigerians place a high premium on it? Is the reading culture being imbibed by the young ones at an early age? Do Nigerians love reading books? Unfortunately the answers are all in the negative.
THE 8 REASONS
FOUNDATION PALAVER :
After basking in the euphoria of Independence on October 1st 1960, and the Republican status in 1963, our founding fathers began to channel their great minds to various sectors which they forecast would yield high economic returns for the country. Nigeria began to grow as he looked towards the politicians of the 1st republic to provide the nourishing economic milk formula that would aid in his healthy development. Coca in the West, Palm oil in the East, Groundnut pyramids in the North served as good alternative sources in the quest for fast development.
Education took its pride of place on the Government’s list as more schools were built. People were encouraged to get an education by going to school and those in that era can testify to the numerous books that did abound and how Nigerians love to read. However, the oil boom era of the 1970’s crippled the other economic sources as afore mentioned. The new found gold mine which