23rd April, 2020
A writer, Anthony Onugba, on Thursday, called on Nigerians to use books to enrich their intellectual minds and combat boredom while on Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown.
Onugba, the founder of the African Writers Development Trust, made that call while speaking in Kaduna in commemoration of the 2020 World Book and Copyright Day.
He explained that the day was set aside by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, to celebrate books and the enjoyment of reading.
According to him, reading books connect the realities of the past, the present and the future.
Onugba said, “With the closure of schools to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic, the power of books can be used to combat boredom and isolation.
“Reading books can also educate and enlighten the mind.”
He called on African governments, and the African Union, to pay more attention to books, literature, and literary activities on the continent, for the metal and intellectual development of the African population.
Onugba also stressed the need for the Federal Government and other African countries to strengthen copyright laws to protect writers’ creativity and intellectual creation, to ensure that they are rewarded for their effort.
“These all together will lead to a developed society. After all, development is a product of enlightenment which comes through education, and education comes by reading,” the writer said.
African Writers Development Trust is the organiser of the African Writers Conference, African Writers Awards, and publisher of the Writers Space Africa Magazine.