Nigeria is the most populous black nation with a
population of 159.7 million in 2010. Nigeria has a total area of 923,768 sq. km
with a land area of 910,768 sq., water 13,000 sq. and coastline 853 km. We are blessed with petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, gold, mica, bauxite, zinc. Natural gas,
hydro power and arable land: 33%, permanent crops 3%, permanent pastures 44%,
forests and woodlands 12%, others 8%, irrigated land 9570 sq.km. [1993]
In Nigeria we always say that children are the leaders of
tomorrow yet we have children that are not thought to read, this has led to
stagnation in the development of our country.
Reading helps to improve mental stimulation, knowledge,
memory improvement; critical reasoning improves concentration and makes us open
minded.
I like reading literary fiction and was asked if it has
any value to my life. I said yes, literary fiction can help to improve the
quality of our life.
Qasem Naqizadeh a judge
in the city of gunbad-e kavus has set up new ruling that individuals convicted
of minor crimes should buy and read books instead of serving long terms in
prisons. He said that such punishments are as good alternative to imprisonment
which has physical and psychological impact on convicts and their families.
It will be great if reading culture can be inculcated in
to the school curriculum from the primary and secondary schools, children
should be thought to love reading.
I think reading children books on corruption will help to
teach children what corruption means.
The lack of reading culture contributed to our Country’s
stagnation because, we have a population of adults who haven’t learnt empathy,
critical reasoning and love for the country.
The immediate answer to Nigeria economic situation is
agriculture and exportation of iron-ore, gold, mica, zinc, bauxite etc. but
simultaneously we have to improve our future by inculcating a reading culture
in our society.
