The National Library of Nigeria has launched its Readership Promotion Campaign in Gombe State as part of the  efforts to improve reading culture among Nigerians.
A statement issued by its Public Relations Unit in Abuja, said that the aim of the campaign was to sensitise the public on the importance of reading.
Our correspondent recalled recalls that the campaign was also recently launched in Taraba State.
The statement quoted the National Librarian, Prof. Lenrie Aina, as saying that the organisation decided to take the national campaign to the grassroots in order to “catch the children young”.
Aina, represented by the Deputy Director, Public Services Department, Northern operations, Alhaji Nagya Minin, said that the campaign would help inculcate reading habit in children.
“As the apex library of the country, the organisation is mandated to carry out reading campaign, to sensitise the general public on the importance of reading.
“It is for this reason that the campaign has to go to the grassroots to educate people and children on the importance of reading.
“If not for lack of funding, the campaign should have beeen done in all local governments of the federation.
“This is to enable Nigerians to understand why they should embrace the reading habit.
“When a reader develops reading skills, he is then inclined to read and a reading culture evolves on getting involved in daily reading activities.’’
The professor explained that the National Library initiated the Readership Promotion Campaign in 1981, adding that it had since become an annual event.
According to him, this year’s theme is, “Working Together to Build a Virile Reading Nation:Challenges and Strategies,” with the slogan “Catch Them Young, Read a Book to Your Baby Now”.
In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Ministry of Education, Alhaji Abdulkadir Usman, described the campaign as a welcome development, considering the poor reading habit among Nigerians.
Usman, represented by Mr Josua Ahmad, Director, Administration and Finance, observed that the lack of good education had hindered the development of the North-East in all aspects of life.
He expressed optimism that the campaign would gradually trigger human and infrastructural development in the state.
The Emir of Gombe, Dr Abubakar Usman, in his goodwill message, said that poor reading culture had slowed development in the state.
Usman represented by the Emir of Kumo, Alhaji Umaru Atiku, said reading was the first revelation Allah sent to Prophet Mohammad.
He said that the revelation underscored the importance of reading in the life of every human being.
According to the statement, the campaign featured a paper presentation by Malam Dahiru Aliyu, the Librarian, Federal College of Education, Gombe, reading competition and cultural presentations.