This was an enjoyable interview. I agree with the guest's point regarding value systems, getting the fundamentals right, and the economic and civilisational necessity of investing in a reading culture. Most fascinated by his point about the net benefit of reading, which goes beyond mere data points. Here, I will add, for lack of a better phrasing, the sacred value of reading in which a reader's worldview is expanded, challenged, abused, disabused, contorted, straightened, until the human is "born again" and becomes far more sophisticated than a formal crude self. One can only imagine if that quality is scaled across, say, a third of a country's population. That would be an African country with the promise of a true global admiration. It would prepare the export and retention of the most brilliant thinkers and doers as we see from the Asian nations we so readily admire, whose benefits are equally measured in brain-exportation and brain-gains.
If we must move the country forward, we must improve the quality of education which is premised on seeding a love for reading, a love for intellectual engagement, a respect for excellence, and I must add - a cure from the mindset that trivialises reading with such vapidity as "na book we go chop?" or its many incarnations in popular Nigerian lyrics.
As Richard mentioned, the stakeholders must lead the advocacy and conversation. I agree and I admire his dedication. With people like the three of you, the reading renaissance has started. One can only hope that it continues until it becomes a national character. As far as hope goes, it will happen, even at the expense of a mediocre governor who lost a brilliant opportunity to set the East, and indeed, the country, on intellectual fire!
This was an enjoyable interview. I agree with the guest's point regarding value systems, getting the fundamentals right, and the economic and civilisational necessity of investing in a reading culture. Most fascinated by his point about the net benefit of reading, which goes beyond mere data points. Here, I will add, for lack of a better phrasing, the sacred value of reading in which a reader's worldview is expanded, challenged, abused, disabused, contorted, straightened, until the human is "born again" and becomes far more sophisticated than a formal crude self. One can only imagine if that quality is scaled across, say, a third of a country's population. That would be an African country with the promise of a true global admiration. It would prepare the export and retention of the most brilliant thinkers and doers as we see from the Asian nations we so readily admire, whose benefits are equally measured in brain-exportation and brain-gains.
If we must move the country forward, we must improve the quality of education which is premised on seeding a love for reading, a love for intellectual engagement, a respect for excellence, and I must add - a cure from the mindset that trivialises reading with such vapidity as "na book we go chop?" or its many incarnations in popular Nigerian lyrics.
As Richard mentioned, the stakeholders must lead the advocacy and conversation. I agree and I admire his dedication. With people like the three of you, the reading renaissance has started. One can only hope that it continues until it becomes a national character. As far as hope goes, it will happen, even at the expense of a mediocre governor who lost a brilliant opportunity to set the East, and indeed, the country, on intellectual fire!