*CHIEF LOYE CHARGES THE YOUTH TO EMBRACE READING CULTURE* ....Stop entitlement mentality, work hard and achieve your goals

The youths have been charged to stop being entitled and embrace hard work and reading culture. Chief Loye Olowookere said this in an Exclusive Interview with Journalists in his Abuja office.

Chief Loye Olowookere, who is the Managing Director/CEO, Too Ventures Ltd is also the Coordinator of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP). According to him, “the youths should stop entitlement mentality, rather, they should set goals for themselves, work hard and achieve their goals".

He reiterated that it is more honourable to pass through normal process, have mentors, and be intentional about their goals. He further warned parents who encourage their children to write examinations through special or miracles centres to desist from such.

Chief Loye frowned at teachers who use pirated books to teach students, adding that it is both illegal and immoral to use pirated books in schools. He called on the media and relevant stakeholders to rise up to their responsibilities to join in the campaign to end book piracy in the country.

Noting that the Network was established in Lagos, the headquarters in 2020 and 2022 in Abuja with the aim to encourage more Nigerians to read and to revive the reading culture in the country. Also, the Network is set up to ensure that at all levels, the idea of reading culture should be embraced by the society.

According to Chief Loye Olowookere, “ there should be an awareness of the importance of reading because whoever does not read is like a dead person, totally ignorant of whatever is happening in his immediate environment. Reading liberates the mind.”

He pointed out that Abuja is the Book City for 2025, and one of the major projects for the Book City is *Project 774.*  

 It is an initiative which intends to facilitate the establishment of Book Clubs and Libraries in the 774 Local Government areas in the country. Libraries are Institutions that promote education and literacy.

In his words,“It is a huge project and we can not do it alone, so we have to collaborate and partner with institutions and individuals in the book ecosystem such as the National Library of Nigeria(NLN), Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA), FCT Education Resource Centre(ERC), Nigerian Library Association(NLA), Booksellers Association of Nigeria(BAN), Rovingheights, Nigerian Book Fair Trust, Kairos Tablets and Scrolls Ltd, Nigerian Publishers Association(NPA) CSS Bookshop Ltd, Fortham Publishers Ltd and others. They have contributed a lot to our modest achievement.

About the factors contributing to the decline of reading among the youth, findings show that they are too distracted by social media, and addiction to the use of electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, televisions, Internet, videos,etc. While these gadgets offer endless information and entertainment, they compete seriously with traditional reading methods and materials. Picking up a book becomes a less attractive option to many of the youths in view of the distractions mentioned.

Another factor contributing to the decline of reading culture in the society is the state of education in the country. Many schools lack adequate libraries and resources, making it difficult for students to access the necessary books.

Economic situation also plays a role as a limiting factor to access needed books by the youths. As a result, children grow up without the opportunity to explore the world of literature and expand their knowledge through reading.

To solve the challenges faced by the youths, Chief Loye called on the parents, teachers and government at various levels to play their roles by laying a solid foundation for the education of a child. Education is an important priority that is not negotiable.