Lagos — Perturbed by the current poor reading culture in the country, Chairman of Literamed Publications Nigeria Limited Otunba Yinka Lawal Solarin said absence of a developed reading culture is one of the most visible obstacles to national development.

Solarin, whose company organised a four-day road show campaign tagged "Reading is Fun Campaign" in Lagos to sensitize Nigerians on the need to create an effective reading culture in the society, said the current reading culture was at its lowest ebb and needs to be addressed.

"Nigerians reading culture is at lower ebb hitherto affecting the society, and based on this noticeable impact prompted the organisation to embark on this campaign aimed at reviving the reading culture across the country. The idea of flagging off the campaign in Lagos State as the pilot arena is to create awareness while intending to carry the campaign to other parts of the country in due course," he said.

He said reading creates lots of fun and gives special enjoyment that nothing else can replace, adding that books help in developing children's vocabulary and ultimately their communication skills.

He said research conducted bya group of experts shows that Nigerian youths preferred to watch cartoons at all times to reading books, stressing that the research necessitated the introduction of 'The Comic Hut' in order to engage the children in reading and creating amiable interest in books.

"Here, educative colourful and very entertaining cartoons are churned out to further boost the reading culture of the Nigerian child and make reading less of boring activity. While in schools gets everyone to read, it is not able to spread the desire to read, rather the opposite, imposing a feeling of obligation.

"Reading helps to sharpen our vision. A beautiful book they say is an inspiration, a lifelong friend and something very special. Reading involves sharing in the world of others, any Nigerians child that aspires to be a leader must be a reader. At Literamed, we believe that reading is fun, contagious and gives special enjoyment that nothing else can replace. Books help in developing children's vocabulary and ultimately their communication skills," he said.