DEMEANING
READING CULTURE AMONG THE YOUTH
Brethren, have you ever in your lonely mood imagined being blind? I know
the question might sound a bit weird considering the gravity of the imagination
in question. Please don’t get me wrong; I’m only trying to fathom a certain
vague phenomenon that’s presently telling on my person.
Penultimate week during a moment
of solitude, I took my precious time right in my humble abode to romance over
some ongoing anomalies passing through most societies in the world. Prior to
that moment, I was personally and deeply affected by the said factor, which I
lately tagged ‘a societal canker’.
Honestly, some of us who found ourselves in the writing profession
(field) may on a very fateful day decide to quit or take an eternal leave from
the field. I’m glad you actually know the difference between French leave and
eternal leave; therefore there’s no need throwing more light.
Of course if writers are not being read by their target audience, then
the writing profession would be considered to be worthless by the writers
themselves. Same scenario is not unlike seeing a fashion designer whose wares
are not being admired by the members of the public.
Frankly, the current demeaning reading culture
among the youth is not only negatively affecting the writers, bloggers,
journalists, or as the case may be, but the society at large. No doubt, it has
eaten deep in the blood vessel of the countries concerned.
The lack of reading habit found amongst our teens is solely attributed
to the aforementioned anomaly (culture). Yes, how do you expect the teenagers
to appreciate reading whilst the set of people they are meant to look up to is
nothing to write home about as regards reading?
Without mincing words, our youths
have really derailed in regard to reading, education generally. None of them,
or only a few, wishes or thrives towards actualization of academic success via
hard work; rather, they prefer indulging in impersonation, examination
malpractice, sorting, among others. It is even more pathetic to notice that the
so-called parents or guardians seem impervious to these naughty and shameful
acts. Let’s ride on!
Even those who spend virtually twenty-four (24) hours daily on the
social media find it difficult to digest any educative or informative
article/opinion, instead they prefer going through series of gossips, pornographic
images, silly write-ups and what have you, as well as watching several indecent
movies.
In spite of the fact that the newspapers, magazines and other
periodicals can also be read or accessed on the internet or the social media,
still you hardly see any youth that takes time to digest the contents of any
publication online. The idea of publishing the softcopy of news bulletins
online was considered worthwhile by the publishers owing to the fact that many
people could not afford to purchase a hardcopy of any of the
newspapers/magazines; yet our young ones find it difficult to be informed by
those costless news. It is really disheartening.
Each time I remember that my country, Nigeria is taking a lead in this
absurd and disgusting tradition, I end up shedding immeasurable bloods. It is
no longer news that most Nigerians are invariably misinformed and/or
uneducated; this is why they often indulge in inconsequential and childish
discussions or debates thereby constituting societal mayhem.
Mind you, being educated doesn’t
imply that one had successfully spent some desirable or required number of
years in a certain citadel of higher learning. Being educated simply means that
the person in question is knowledgeable or learned. And such knowledge is not
acquired by attending classes, rather by indulging in enormous study and
research works. Thus, learning is not all about attending classes but telling
yourself that you ought to know that which you’re yet and meant to know.
At this juncture, I call on various concerned groups and stakeholders
such as the civil societies, religious bodies, inspirational speakers, teachers
unions, to carry out a holistic crusade, either individually or collectively,
with the aim of elevating the level of reading habit among our young ones. They
can actualize this by organizing series of seminars, workshops, conventions,
conferences, et cetera towards sensitizing the people involved on the dangers
of lack of information or knowledge as well as illiteracy.
I want to tell you unequivocally that anyone who lacks knowledge is
simply like a blind man. And knowledge or appropriate information can never be
acquired by shying away from reading. Think about it!
FRED NWAOZOR
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
