Information Ministry plans partnership with Authors Association to promote reading and writing.

[FMINigeria]

The Federal Ministry of Information is to partner with the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) to promote the reading and writing culture, especially among the youths. The Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku gave the pledge in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Nasarawa State Chapter.

Mr. Maku expressed concern about the decline in reading and writing among Nigerians, which he said, were crucial to human civilisation. "When I look at the declining culture of reading and writing in our country, I feel concerned because if Nigerians do not write, I don't know who will tell the African story. It will be extremely difficult."

The Information Minister further stated that "The pioneers, people like Late Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chukwuemeka Ike and a number of them, who have committed themselves to putting Nigeria's name on the map of African writers and global writers are now aging out. They have left a testimony of what Nigerians can do across the globe".

He observed that even though some young writers in the Diaspora are making significant impact in the global intellectual community, Nigeria's rich cultures could form the basis for writing books in order to raise a generation of authors in the country.

Mr. Maku called on the Association of Nigerian Authors to complement the promotion of peace in the country through writing to discourage youths from violence and division and lead them to human harmony and development.

While speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Nasarawa State Chapter, Mallam Al-Bishak said, the Association is on a nationwide campaign to revive the reading culture among Nigerians.

He said in line with the campaign, the Association is organizing reading competition among all Secondary Schools in Nasarawa State.

Mallam Al-Bishak said, the objectives of the campaign include inculcating reading culture among the youth, promoting societal development, encouraging awareness of societal national and international events through reading, and promoting patriotism and individual and collective talents through reading.

Source: Information Ministry plans partnership with Authors Association to promote reading and writing.
Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria