News Investigators/ Four years after its inauguration, the 774 Book Clubs and Libraries Initiative has called for stronger collaboration and investment to promote reading culture, especially in suburban and rural communities across Nigeria.
The President of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), Richard Mammah, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
Mr Mammah said the project, designed to set up book clubs and libraries in all 774 local government areas of the country, was conceived as a direct response to declining reading habits among young Nigerians.
“We believe every child, whether in the city or in the suburbs, deserves access to books, libraries and a vibrant reading culture. The cooperation from subnational actors remains crucial.
“State Library Boards and local governments need to do more to ensure greater traction. Community-level support is vital if we must reach schools and young people effectively,” he added.
The NBRP noted that in spite of the challenges, the initiative’s partners; the National Library of Nigeria, the Nigerian Library Association and the Committee for Relevant Art have been instrumental.
According to him, the vision is bigger than one organisation.
“The scope of the work is massive and to succeed, it requires larger resource commitments than what we currently have. This is why we call it a collective responsibility.”
He, however, urged the federal, state and local governments to earmark more budgetary resources for libraries, reading clubs and literacy-focused organisations.
Mr Mammah declared that targeted support for reading culture projects can go a long way in addressing literacy challenges nationwide.
“We are calling on businesses, community associations and well-meaning individuals to invest in libraries and reading initiatives. The dividends will reflect in education, innovation and national development,” he said.
The President emphasised that reviving reading culture in suburban areas could unlock creativity among children and strengthen community ties.
He declared that a society that reads is a society that grows, adding that suburban communities, in particular, stand to benefit immensely when books and reading clubs are accessible.
NAN