Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu has said propagation of reading culture among the young ones will re-awaken their consciousness.

Prof. Arigbabu made this known when he received members of the State Library Board in his Office, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, stating that reading should be inculcated in children to improve their quest for knowledge and develop them academically.

The Commissioner revealed that the degeneration of reading habits had hampered the academic performance of learners, saying the situation had necessitated the rehabilitation of its State libraries and inauguration of the Library Board, saying “we need to inculcate the reading culture in our children, right from the primary school level for them to develop. The need to re-awaken the consciousness of reading is what made the government to put in place the library Board, to help map out ways in which this deficiency can be tackled”.

Arigbabu added that government would rely on the suggestions and advice of the Board to tackle the lingering challenges confronting libraries in the State, reassuring that it would continue to ensure all schools in the State had functional libraries and professional Librarians.

In his submission, the Chairman of the Library Board, Prof. Segun Awonusi said the present administration had done a lot to bring back the consciousness and importance of the library to the people, stating their determination for continuous advocacy on the reading culture, while calling on well-meaning individuals and organisations to support the government in providing libraries that would stand the test of time.

In his remarks, a member of the Board and Director of Information,  Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Lanre Ogunyinka promised that the Board would commit their time, energy and resources to ensure g