Knowledge Empowers, Essential for Human Development - Hon. Nanah Opiah
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah has stated that knowledge empowers and is very essential for human development. The Honourable Minister stated this during the flag off ceremony of the 2022 National Library Readership Promotion Campaign held at the Conference Hall, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja on 15th September, 2022.
Speaking about the theme of the campaign: "Reading as a Panacea for Societal Problems", the Honourable Minister said that theme "is timely and appropriate, considering the declining level of reading habit in the world today and in particular, our country Nigeria". He further stated that reading adds quality to life, provides access to culture and cultural heritage. He commended the Management of the NLN for taking this year's campaign to the grassroots where it is most desirable.
Earlier in her welcome address, the National Librarian Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi emphasized that "RPC is a call on all Nigerians to embrace the habit of reading in order to eradicate the rate of illiteracy in Nigeria". This year's campaign according to her is borne out of the need to impact on the local people - the Hard-to-Reach- and it would be held in the hinterlands where out of school children are mostly found.
Prof. Anunobi noted that a strong reading culture enhances independence, leadership and confidence. According to her “Reading is a key component in social and emotional development because the more you read, the more you know and the more you know, the more you grow".
