Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Nigeria Literary Society NLS says hosting more book reading and literary programmes in the country will improve the reading culture in Nigeria.
The Curator of Nigeria Literally Society David Chukweke said this during its 9th Book Reading and Conversation with Prof Priye Iyalla-Amadi in Port Harcourt.
David Chukweke said book reading enhances the mental well-being of individuals.
He said the vision of the monthly book reading project is to imbibe in Nigerians the reading culture.
”The vision is to imbibe a reading culture to every Nigerian. If your there, if you’re home, in the car anywhere you should pick up a book and start reading. When you read you open your mind, when you read you open your thought, When you read you open your eyes, your ears, reading does a lot of things”.
”It even improves our health. We said every month we need to gather and read with authors. Those that cannot read can listen to the readers, those that cannot write will listen to writers so they can know how to start their own writing. So, that’s the vision” he said.
In her comment, Professor of French and Translation Studies Priye Iyalla-Amadi said book reading helps to create a complete human being.
Priye Iyalla-Amadi said book reading and storytelling will get children’s attention towards reading literary materials.
She said that storytelling is the best way to conserve our literary works.
”Storytelling can be very interesting and it’s a way of telling people to read especially our children. And then poetry to inspire. You can be inspired to put down what is in you and you perform it to the delight of all to the entertainment value of our poems. Children love stories a lot so that is a sure way of getting them back to the book” she said.
Also speaking, Prof Maduka Okoye said the monthly book reading is the best way to get youths reading again.
Books read during the 9th Book Reading and Conversation with Prof Priye Iyalla-Amadi include the Eagle Moves ON, Kaydara or The Mysterious Journey, and Elechi Amadi: The Quintessential Giant.
Our correspondent reports that the event was attended by lecturers, students, parents, poets, writers, and authors.
The 10th edition of the Nigeria Literary Society NLS Book Reading and Conversation will take place next month with Prof.E.G.Alagoa
