Group seeks policy on reading culture

Government at all levels have been enjoined to activate policies aimed at encouraging learning among children.

This is coming on the heels of activities marking the World Book and Copyright Day.

Programme Manager, The Young African Bookworms Initiative, Mr Tola Oni, said access to books had become imperative for children and youths as it would foster literacy, expand knowledge and unlock opportunities for personal growth and development.

This year’s event is tagged “Celebrating World Book and Copyright Day: Promoting Literature and Intellectual Property Rights” The World Book and Copyright Day, observed yearly on April 23, is a global celebration dedicated to literature in all its forms.

According to Oni, the occasion celebrates the richness of literature and its impact on societies, worldwide.

He said one of the key objectives of the day was to raise awareness about the challenges faced by indigent children in accessing books.

He mentioned that through its Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) programmes, Young Bookworms creates opportunities for indigent children to have access to books and build their reading skills.

According to the programme manager, issues such as access to literature, literacy rates, and the importance of supporting authors and publishers should attract the attention of the government and the private sector as part of their social responsibility.