By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers, (SYNW), Anambra State Chapter, on Saturday, urged parents, government, individuals, nongovernmental organisations and other stakeholders to endow mouthwatering prizes in support of reading culture.
The State Coordinator, SYNW, Mazi Izunna Okafor, who made the call at 2024 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture held in Awka, Anambra State capital, argued that endowing prizes for literature, especially reading and writing competitions among students, would contribute to a great extent in reviving reading culture in Nigeria.
According to Okafor, numbers of school dropouts, get-rich-syndrome, crimes and criminalities would be reduced to a barest minimum when people interested in education would be encouraged like their counterparts in entertainment, show biz and pageantry.
This according to him, would be achieved by instituting annual prizes for reading or writing in the honour of late author of Things Fall Apart, Professor Chinua Achebe and other literary icons, whereby winners would be rewarded handsomely in cash and other items.
He, however, commended the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo for renaming the State International Airport Umueri to Chinua Achebe, describing it as a step in right direction.
Also speaking, the Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, Igwe Bennett Emeka, commended the young writers for celebrating Achebe which he said would assist in inculcating the reading cultures and good habits into the students, as well as make them to become better in society.
Other speakers, including the first female Professor of Mass Communication in sub-Saharan Africa, Professor Chinyere Okunna, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Anambra Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife, and the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha-Mbah, stressed the needs for students mentorship by parents, teachers and guardians for increased literacy and moral upbringing.
Earlier speaking, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Ernest Ezeajughi, said the State government was committed towards repositioning the education sector through recruitment of teachers, enhancing school infrastructure, among others.
Highlights of the event was presentation of prizes and certificates to the winners of essay competition organised by the young writers, including schools and individual participants on the association's 9th anthology on Chinua Achebe.