By Justina Auta
The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has urged women and youths to embrace reading culture to better understand the society for effective contribution to national development.
The Registrar of TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye said this at the public presentation of “ If Only We Knew’’ and “Being Twins” written by Kuni Tyessi, a journalist with Thisday Newspaper in Abuja.
Ajiboye, represented by Dr Frances Alimigbe decried dwindling reading culture in the country, which he said had contributed to all forms of vices in the society.
“This is a right idea in the right direction of redirecting youths to imbibe reading culture and shun negative vices.
“The launch of these books I strongly believe portends many opportunities for the youths to shun harmful vices and embrace reading culture to position them as leaders of tomorrow that they truly are,’’ he said.
He said that the theme and subject matter of the books resonate around the Nigerian reality, especially with respect to the opportunities that education provided and dreams of becoming future leaders.
“The mind is a powerful tool and if loaded with the right knowledge, the evil vices replete in the society today would not catch the attention of the children.
“As they would be engaged meaningfully reading and making valuable use of their time and thinking positively, hence the importance of gestures of this nature to develop positive mindset in children.
“Women ensure stability, progress and long-term development of nations, adding that the role of women writers in enshrining good governance, legislation, personal and national growth cannot be underestimated,” he said.
Also, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said the books would assist in promoting reading culture and resource materials for the educational system.
Adamu, represented by Mrs Kegior Baridi, from the office of the Director, Special Duties in the ministry said, “The book is the experiences of Nigerian woman and the girl child.”
“We must ensure we have good governance and keep a way of doing things right as this is how we can grow and have good development.’’
The books reviewer, Dr Philip Hayab, an educator and peace development worker said the two books encapsulate paramount issues affecting the nation, especially women.
“The issues that she juxtaposes in the novel are relevant to contemporary Nigerian girl and Nigeria as a nation, where we are talking about leaders living up to expectations of delivering good governance.
“Because until we have good governance, some of the ills that we complain in Nigeria might not come to an end,” he said.
On her part, the author, Ms Kuni Tyessi a gender advocate and journalist said the novel and collection of poems discusses issues affecting the society and the Nigerian women aimed at bringing more awareness and change in societal ills.
“It is a book that is more or less realistic and captures everything in the society, especially in the lives of women, the struggles, their successes, breakthroughs.
“It is meant to encourage women to break the chain that society has placed on them and as for the girl child, she is the only one that can say no to herself and no one else to achieve her dreams,” she said.
