By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
A Nigerian author based in the United States, Okey Nwachuku, has advocated the promotion of reading culture among Nigerians.
Nwachuku, the author of Talon of the Python, urged government, including corporate institutions and well-meaning individuals in Nigeria, to make efforts to step up to promote reading culture, especially among the youths.
He decried the low reading culture among Nigerians, adding that a robust reading culture uplifts a country to an enviable height and was capable of reducing crime rate in the country.
“Low reading culture is an ugly trend and does a country no good. A robust reading culture has numerous positive effects.
“One of it is that the crime among our youths would be reduced if the reading culture is robust,” he said.
Continuing, he said, “This is because through reading, one is able to develop his mental capacity and this will equip him with the right mindset on issues. Robust reading culture influences our social lives positively.”
On his book, Talon of the Python, Nwachuku said it serves the “historic context” function of literature, adding that, “The book fills the gap between the past, present and future generations.”
Modupe Gbadeyanka