THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA

Reading is a vital topic in psychology, social and behavioral sciences, as well as in education. It is a key activity in the process of learning and education of a man., because itis aimed at building character and the development of the cognitive organ. Reading can be defined as the process of recognizing, written and printed works or understanding; an act of reading or studying a book, newspaper, documents, etc. From the forgoing, it becomes apparent that the whole essence of reading is for human development. The contemporary era has witnessed tremendous distraction and diversion of attention from reading, and the saddening situation is precipitated by the prevailing reality in the society, i.e. the emergence of advancement in technology, which is a direct substitution for the hitherto existing order. In other words, the dying reading culture in Nigeria is largely blamed on advancement in technology.

Low quality and standard education in Nigeria is a true reflection of poor reading culture in Nigeria. Students across all level of education now devise easier means of passing examination, involving in all sort of examination malpractice, because they lack the confidence to depend on their brains, as a result of not involving  in reading, which is supposed to be the primary activity of students, regardless of level - what else do students do beyond reading? It is unfathomable or unimaginable to think of anything else outside reading, else education in the country should remain a big joke. This message should be sounded to all students as emphasis to ensuring the building of a lifestyle or culture of reading.

Another sector which poor reading culture in Nigeria truly reflects, is the media - specifically the print. Media traditionally, is classified into two namely the broadcast (radio and TV) and the print  (reading); not forgetting the emergence of the new media officially known as 'the social media', made possible by the advancement in technology, facilitated by communication gadgets and computers. The level of patronage in the print media is at its lowest ebb, because Nigerians no longer read. They prefer to watch and listen than reading, because  entertainment and enjoyment have become the driving Values in the country. In other words, watching and listening are entertaining, enjoying and simple, while reading is tedious and rigorous, yet the most impactful in the development of the brain and character. Some decades ago, the reverse was the case, as a result of the existence of high level of reading culture and non emergence of communication technologies. Newspapers, magazines, periodicals etc have been out of business because of low patronage, necessitated by ack of interest in reading, although ICT has been slowly complementing with innovations in the internet, that is why it boils down to what really captivates the interest of Nigerians among these preferences - listening, watching and reading. Arguably, reading will continue to remain the most potent and efficacious options vis-a-vis human and cognitive development, hence the need for laying this strong emphasis.

SOME FACTORS THAT TRIGGER THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA.

1 POOR REWARD SYSTEM 

The Nigerian system and specifically the educational system does not promote hard work, excellence and competence. That is why mediocrity and incompetence are preferred, especially in education and labour sectors. While students no longer read to pass examination (indulge in fraud or malpractices), paper qualifications (which graduates cannot defend) become preferable in the labour market over competence and capacity, for applicants and workers alike.

2 ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGIES

Nigerians have found a substitute or replacement for reading, and it is facilitated by information and communication technologies (ICT). The length of time many, especially the young ones, who are supposed to be developing their minds through reading, spend on watching television and operating various communication devices or gadgets daily, is worrisome. It has gradually shifted interest away from reading, an indicative of a society that is not literate. As stated earlier, reading is an activity which builds and develop the mind more than any other, that is why the interest should be awakened among Nigerians.

3 INADEQUATE CENSORSHIP

publishing has become all-comers affair. The system is producing half-baked authors whose primary interest is money making above high quality ideas/contents. The emergence of ICT which has introduced avalanche of publishing platforms with minimal censorship, is a contributing factor for poor reading culture in Nigeria. This has led to the production of junk and half-baked ideas, which helps in killing reading interest. Authorities responsible for censoring publication of reading content, are not living up to their billing., considering is a serious challenge emergence of ICT has introduced. So, quality contents can help in resurrecting the dying reading culture in Nigeria. Because reading contents can span physical books, online articles, and broadcast/digital media, different specialized agencies handle censorship depending on the medium. For instance, the digital contents, websites and social media, it is the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in conjunction with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that is responsible for censorship.

EFFECTIVE REMEDIES/MEASURES FOR RESURRECTING THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA.

1 PUBLICATION OF HIGH QUALITY CONTENTS

Having high quality contents can go along way in captivating and sustaining reading interest among the Nigerian populace. So, authorities responsible for  censoring reading contents should do more, especially now ICT has redefined and reshaped publication business.

2 INSTITUTION OF EXCELLENT REWARD SYSTEM 

The kind of reward system that promotes hard work, competence and merit should be instituted, to avoid mediocrity and failure. For example, merit system should be upheld in the recruitment process, while hard work and competence should be acknowledged in academic and educational sector. Mind you, the only way to benefit from such excellent and merit reward system is by being very studious. It should be mainly about what one can do, not necessarily having excellent results alone, which one may unable to defend convincingly.

3 INSTITUTION OF EFFECTIVE SENSITIZATION PROGRAMMES

Relevant stakeholders especially the government should initiate effective programmes to sensitize Nigerians on the saddening dying state of reading culture as well as the effective measures to resurrect it. For the young population, involving mostly students, attention should be shifted away from modern communication techniques, a direct substitute for reading interest. The print media should take advantage of the emerging ICT and the new media to stimulate and sustain reading interest among Nigerians. It will also help to rescue the young minds from the prison yard of ICT, providing them only with excitement, excapede and entertainment that militate against their cognitive development, a disturbing occurrence which does not really help in social development. Better still,, ICT can be used for promoting reading and help in resurrecting dying reading culture in Nigeria. It is part of the sensitization programme that should be initiated.

In conclusion, there is no better alternative to reading as far as cognitive and human development is concerned. That fact should be well stressed, across all strata of the society. If reading culture is resurrected, it will help Nigeria become a literate society, an essential indicator for development.