NyaknnoAbasi Charges Nigerians to imbibe Reading Culture to develop the country

NyaknnoAbasi Charges Nigerians to imbibe Reading Culture to develop the country

Nigerians are charged to read books to enhance the development of the country. NyaknnoAbasi Osso made this call during an interview with Journalists on 2025 World Books Day in his office in Abuja.

NyaknnoAbasi Osso, who is the Publisher, BLERF'S Who is Who in Nigeria, said World Book Day coincide with the flag off Abuja Book City 2025. The event is meant to encourage people to love books and develop reading culture.

Adding that book lovers come together to network and discuss ways to encourage reading. They includes: authors, publishers, writers, book sellers, librarians and anything that has to do with the book industry.

NyaknnoAbasi who has more than 2million books in his library, also used the opportunity to encourage the youths to develop reading habits. According to him, “the more you read, the more you grow intellectually.”

Nyaknno’s academic process established him as a pivotal figure in research and documentation.

As a young boy he found his way to school by himself. The documentary was produced by Samson Ogaga for the purpose of encouraging the public to achieve their dreams against all odds.

Nyaknno’s life is that of faith and excellence, as a child between the age of 5 and 10, he will always see a man dressed in white in the early hours of the day. This man taught him everything he learnt in the classroom from English to Mathematics, as a result he was consistently on the top in his class. He shared this experience with his mom, who told him that it might be an angel or the Holy Spirit teaching him.

He was attracted to the library at a very young age. After graduating from secondary school in 1970, he was invited to Ibadan by his uncle, a Professor of Agronomy, Prof. Eno Jumbo Udo. He wanted him to become a medical doctor, due to his brilliance. However, this career aspiration changed when his Uncle's friend visited and told him about a vacancy at the University of Ibadan library. He visited the library and applied for the job, since he was still waiting for admission to the University. Mrs Laide Wole Soyinka observed his commitment to the library work and encouraged him to study library science. She recommended him to the Head of Department, Prof. Felicia Adetowun Ogunsheye, who offered him an admission into the department of library science, and has been his mentor ever since.

Upon graduation, he was faced with a pivotal decision to remain at the library at the University of Ibadan or embark on an unforeseen journey to the New UNN Campus in Calabar, now the University of Calabar.

Prof. Donald Ekong encouraged him to follow him to the University. He made a decision and travelled to Calabar, unfortunately he met Prof. Essien Udom’s wife, Mrs Ruby Essien - Udom, who told him that she didn’t receive any notice of his coming. Instead of giving up, he called a taxi cab that took him to the state Library, opposite Watt Market, Calabar. He was introduced to the Head of the State Library in Calabar, Chief (Mrs) Ekei Oku, who happened to be the first Chartered Librarian in West Africa. He was also offered a job at the state library.

He met Ray Ekpu, at the Cross River State Library when he was the Editor of the Nigerian Chronicle, published by Cross River State, Newspaper Corporation, Calabar. Ray invited him to set up a library for the NNC.

He met Dele Giwa, who was amazed by his research and documentation prowess at the Cross River State Library.

Dele Giwa flew into Calabar with Chief Ime Umanah to invite him to join News watch as the first Senior Management staff and Chief of Research for the new magazine, based on his record of excellence at the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, Calabar.

After compiling 1000 different topics, Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpu asked him to go into the world and get background information/materials, for the new Magazine, to be called Newswatch. He visited The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, World Almanac and Book of Facts. He also visited Editor and Publisher; New York Newsday; Atlanta Constitution; LA Times ; The Library of Congress, all in the United States and BBC Libraries in London; The Times of London; Central Office of Information; The Economist Intelligence Unit; Publishers of the Economist Magazine, London; The ITN TV Library; The Newspaper Library at Corlindale; North London; The British Museum/The British Library; The Commonwealth Library, London; The House of Commons Library, London. Newswatch became the best in Nigeria during those times.

He connected with Olusegun Obasanjo through the telephone number of his Secretary, he saw in Dele Giwa's reporter's book.

He had read that OBJ wanted to establish Africa Leadership Forum, so he called the number of his Secretary to pitch the idea of establishing a presidential library.

Fortunately, on the day he called, the phone was picked up by OBJ, because his secretary wasn't available. He invited him for lunch, so he could tell him more about the idea.

Unfortunately, OBJ was arrested by Abacha and he was unable to start the project. As soon as OBJ was released from prison, he sent for him and so they could start the project.

He was appointed his Director of research during his presidential campaign and later became the first SSA on Library, research and documentation. It was the first time the position was formed. He toured the presidential libraries in America with Arc Chukwudi Eze, a colleague he met at OBJ farm house dialogue, and the designer of the first Presidential Library in Africa.

The library is currently situated on 32 hectares of land in Abeokuta, and it is the first presidential library in Africa.

After 25 years with President Olusegun Obasanjo, NyaknnoAbasi founded Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation (BLERF), an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the library, research, information, and knowledge management industry.

He is internationally recognised as the Editor of Newswatch WHO'S WHO IN NIGERIA published at Newswatch. The book is renowned and it is widely consulted by international organizations, including UN.

Nyaknno’s is married to Angela Osso, who he met at the Newswatch, and they have 3 children. He has built so many churches in his village and Abuja.