…FUTIA Book Club underway
The Librarian, Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Prof. Philip Usman Akor has tasked education stakeholders including government, Tertiary Institutions, Families and Religious Organizations to institutionalize initiatives that will enhance reading culture in Nigeria towards national development.
Prof. Akor made the call while delivering his Lecture at the 2nd FUTIA Lecture Series at the University Lecture Theatre on the topic: “PROMOTING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA: DEVELOPING SUPPORT SYSTEM”
In his insightful Lecture, the scholar decried the downturn in reading culture among Lecturers, Students, leaders, Citizens among others in the nation occasioned by the negative influence and addiction to the Information and Communication Technology Tools. He particularly mentioned the excessive application of electronic devices, phones and addiction to social media platforms as threats to good reading habits and culture both in the education system and the secular world.
The Lecturer who is a Professor of Library and Information Technology stressed that reading is a skill that demands conscious development and continuous nurturing – where the more one reads, the more profound their understanding becomes. He said that this cultivation of a reading culture is crucial, as it encompasses the consistent practice of seeking knowledge and entertainment through written forms, ultimately improving one’s spoken language, vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar, making one more fluent in any given language.
“Knowledge is universally acknowledged as the compass of life, indispensable for success and informed decision-making achieved through reading of books. As the adage goes, “knowledge is power”, Readers are Leaders” — Reading serves as the primary bridge over the chasm of ignorance, transforming unawareness into understanding. Ignorance can be more detrimental than many diseases; emphasizing the importance of investing in education and continuous learning”, Prof. Akor stated
The University don said that Promoting a strong reading culture requires a multi-faceted approach, starting from early childhood. He highlighted Key strategies to include encouraging daily reading programmes such as “Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)”, Celebrating Annual Literacy Day, increasing educational funding to refurbish libraries, redesign curricula, establishment and belonging to Book Clubs in Schools, Participating in Quiz/other Academic Competitions among others. He observed that It’s essential to prioritize books over screens for children and to equip Nigerian homes with more bookshelves, creating an environment where reading is not just a leisure activity but a daily habit.
In his conclusion, he quoted the United Nations’ Human Development Report (2006) as acknowledging the critical importance of investing in individual knowledge.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Leo Daniel on behalf of the Management and the University community congratulated the University Librarian and the 2nd Lecturer in the FUTIA Lecture Series, Prof. Philip Akor for his commitment to promoting academic scholarship in his area of specialization.
The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the Registrar, Offiongita Nkang (Mrs), charged the Lecturers, Students and the University community to draw deep lessons from the lecture with a view to growing their knowledge Capital towards individual and national development.
Earlier in his tone setting remarks, the Chairman of the University’s Public Lecture Committee and Acting Provost, School of Computing and Information Technology, Dr. Ime Umoren commended the Management of the University for constituting the Committee with the mandates of organizing, stimulating academic ceremonies, research and other intellectual exercises that will promote academic excellence. He added that the Lecture Series will hold twice a year as an initiative of the Committee; maintaining that it will metamorphose into Public and Inaugural Lectures as the specialized institution grows.
In a vote of thanks, the Registrar of the university, Offiongita Nkang (Mrs) congratulated and appreciated the University Librarian, Prof. Philip Akor on behalf of the Management for the successful presentation of his lecture and consolidating on the foundation laid by Management in this regard.
She appreciated the Committee for the successful hosting of the 2nd FUTIA Lecture Series as well as the Staff, students and guests who were in attendance.
At the event, the University Librarian, Prof. Philip Akor was later presented with an Award as the 2nd Lecturer in the FUTIA Lecture Series. Arising from the Lecture, a FUTIA Book Club is to be established in the University later in the year.
Goodwill Messages were received from the University of Calabar Librarian, Prof. Aniebiet Ntui represented by Dr Samuel Ottong, the FUTIA Bursar, Dr Mbobo Erasmus, Acting Provost, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Dr Whyte Akpan, Head of Department, Library and Information Technology, Dr Colombus Udofot, Acting Director of Health Services, Dr (Mrs) Iheukwumere, Akemini Ikechi, among others.
The Lecture was also attended by Provosts of Schools including the Provost, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Dr Okon Etim, Heads of Departments, Directors of Directorates, Staff and Students and some members of the host communities among others.
