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Nigeria: National Book Policy Ready Soon - FG
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This Day (Lagos)
22 April 2008
Posted to the web 22 April 2008
Lagos
Minister of State for Education, Dr Jerry Agada yesterday disclosed that efforts to develop a National Book Policy has reached an advanced stage.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Jerry Agada yesterday disclosed that efforts to develop a National Book Policy has reached an advanced stage. The draft policy, Agada said, has passed through thepreliminary procedures and will soon be presented before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for endorsement and subsequent release to the public.
Agada who made this known at a press briefing to commemorate the 2008 World Book and Copyright Day said the draft policy will address key issues inthe book publishing industry such as how to make standard books available to Nigerians, copyright and book piracy. The policy, according to the Minister will alsoserve as a guide to Nigerians and motivate the citizenry to imbibe the habit of reading books and maintain personal libraries in their private homes.
According to Agada, the development of a National Book Policy was a proactive step by the Federal Government to have a nation that reads and a nation that thinks, since meaningful socio-economic development cannot be attained in an illiterate environment. He noted that Nigeria has woken up to the culture ofreading with many civil society groups as well asindividuals and government coming up with various concepts aimed at promoting education such as 'Edumark', 'Spelling Bee competition', 'The Bookmind','Bookshelf', Readers Club', among others. He noted that the World Book Day celebrated on the23rd of April every year was symbolic for theworld of literature as it was the date in 1616 that three great authors who made much impact on humanity with their books namely, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega died.
The date was also significant as it marked the birthor death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, Haldor Laxness, Vladimir Kbokov, among others. A member of the National Action Committee on Read Campaign, Mr. Eyo Willy attributed the myriad of problems facing the country on the absence of good reading culture among the citizenry. According to him, Nigeria would have made greaterprogress in its drive to become an economic giant if our leaders at various levels made use of available books to enhance their intellectual abilities. "What is happening in Nigerian society is very pathetic. If Nigerians read, we wouldn't be having too many problems in our hands.
"The problem of this country is because we don't read books. An averageNigerian student doesn't read any more because he knows how to maneuver and pass examinations just to obtain certificate. Development is anchored on reading.
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It will help reduce mortality rate, ourchildren will get good education and the society wouldbe a lot better," he said.
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