A philanthropist and development expert, Goodluck Hayi, has appealed to young Nigerians, particularly students, to cultivate a reading culture.

He made the plea on Saturday during the launch of ‘Book the kids again,’ an initiative aimed at nurturing reading habits among students to enhance their mental capabilities and promote literacy in Abuja.

Mr Hayi, who is the chairman of the initiative, emphasised that the project’s primary objective was to encourage students to rediscover the benefits of reading.

“The key goal is for students to spend more time reading books, ultimately making a positive impact on society,” he stated.

Mr Hayi highlighted the importance of not just flipping through books but truly understanding and applying the knowledge gained.

He said, “The project seeks to address concerns over the gaps in reading culture among students, who are often distracted by social media.”

Mr Hayi explained that engaging with physical books helped students better comprehend material without online distractions.

He encouraged students to share their opinions after reading, demonstrating their grasp of the initiative’s goals.

The event featured a book review competition among secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory and testing their understanding of assigned books.

Hillside School emerged victorious in the event in which schools such as Aduvie International School, Stella Maris College, and Olumawu College also participated.

Speaking at the event marking Mr Hayi’s 50th birthday, Eldad Onojetah, urged the government to support the project by making books accessible and affordable for children

Mr Onojetah stated, “Make books available, affordable, and then kids will be able to read them.’’

(NAN)