Anambra State Library Board has joined its counterparts across the globe to commemorate this year’sWorld Book and Copyright Day.
The event, held at Professor Kenneth Dike State Central E-Library, Awka, attracted both primary and secondary schools students in Anambra State.
Correspondent Njideka Okoye reports that different presentations, including poetry rendition, quotations on reading, drama from the Lion and Jewel, discussion on poor reading culture, and folktales among numerous others from the students added colour to the international celebration.
Speaking at the event , the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh represented by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Mr. Nnaemeka Egwuonwu commended the initiative and paid tribute to the heroes of literary works in the state and the world in general as well as present day authors, who have kept the candle burning.
The commissioner listed some of the challenges of authors and publishers to include piracy, the negative impact of social media and the internet, noting that the Anambra State Ministry of Education in its various activities is trying to improve the reading culture in schools.
On his part, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Sir Paul Nwosu represented by Mr. Emmanuel Ikeagwuani charged students to make reading their indispensable companion to widen their scope of knowledge and advised them to practice all they have learnt.
For the Director, Anambra State Library Services, Dr Nkechi Udeze, the day was set aside by UNESCO to talk about authors, books, copyright, and reading, emphasizing the need to encourage young writers and urging parents to encourage their children to read even during holidays.
The keynote speaker and former Head of Department of English Language and Literature, UNIZIK Awka, Professor Jane Ifechelobi, who defined reading as a very important aspect of academic pursuit, outlined four essential parts of academic to include listening, writing, reading and the comprehensive aspect of it, reminding them that when they read, they exercise their comprehensive and analytical abilities.
In their separate remarks, one of the discussants, Dr Paul Ifeanyi and the chairman on
occasion, Chief Dike Ndulue said that it is good to commemorate the efforts of the great writers, who contributed a lot to writing books and literature, especially the father of literature, William Shakespeare, urging the students to form the habit of reading.
The theme for the celebration was “Read, So You Never Feel Alone”.
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