By Stellamaris Ashinze
Lagos – An educationist, Mrs Funke Adeniji, on Tuesday said that attractive libraries, creativity and belonging to reading club would encourage reading culture among individuals, especially children.
Adeniji, who is the Managing Partner of the Achievers Educational Services, made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that standard and colourful library always attract a child to pick up a book to read.
She said that a child become creative if encouraged to embrace reading culture through colourful display of chats and facts on library walls.
“The first thing to consider in the library is to get the right types of books.
“By the time a child visits the library and sees attractive picture of interesting books on the wall, he will be attracted to pick a book and read.
“Before you know it if you have a standard attractive library, the child would want to come to the library and pick one book to read,’’ she said.
The educationist said that she setting up a reading club would encourage reading culture among children.
She said that many schools spent so much on library but that students were not taking full advantage by using it, saying that was why reading club became paramount.
Adeniji said reading affords children to have broader knowledge of issues and become well informed.
According to her, Nigerian children needed to be exposed to relevant educational apparatus like their counterpart in advanced countries.
“The children should be taught how to read through drama, craft dancing and play, but everything we do should be based on books.
“By the time a child is exposed to reading materials, he will pick up a book and read and you will realise that our children are voracious readers,’’ he said.
Adeniji said that the focus should be on children because when one catches them young, reading and using library will become a habit.
NAN reports that Achievers’ Educational Services helps in setting up library and running book clubs in schools to encourage reading culture among students.