To preserve the future of rich Nigerian literature, former Ekiti first lady Bisi Fayemi has urged youths to embrace reading culture to produce young creative writers.

She made the call in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Mr Fayemi, Nigeria has paraded arrays of prolific writers over the years, and to ensure that more writers are produced, young people must embrace reading culture.

She said the digital age had made access to publications accessible without geographical barriers, allowing this generation of youths to read widely.

“Young people may not have access to the kinds of publications, novels, and books that we had when we were growing up because it is very difficult to get hands-on copies of books now.

“But there are still opportunities for young people to read out there; there are a lot of information and free publications online,” stated the former first lady.

Ms Fayemi added, “If young people can spend hours online, doing one challenge or the other, doing one thing or the other on social media, they can as well spend that time accessing free publications online.

“What we need to do is continue to encourage young people to use the opportunities and the tools that they have. We did not have those things when we were growing up.

“They have them now, so the world is waiting for them to explore. They should not waste those opportunities.”

She explained that to be a good writer, “you have to be able to read widely, and I have said on different platforms that I started writing very early because my father motivated me.”

Ms Fayemi noted that parents in the past “were always looking for ways to keep us engaged because we didn’t have the kinds of gadgets and things that young people have today, like laptops and phones, and so on.”

“So, every Tuesday and every Thursday, I had to write an essay for my father, and I believe that is where I developed a very keen passion for writing,” she disclosed.

(NAN)