Prominent stakeholders in the media and education sectors have called for renewed efforts to revive the reading culture among students, while also advocating greater support for community journalism as a vital tool for grassroots development and democratic participation.
The appeal was made on Tuesday during a live conversation themed, “Community Media in Our Nascent Democracy: The Ogun State Example,” organised to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Prestige Newspaper. The event was held at the NUJ Hall, Iwe-Iroyin, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the programme, the Publisher of Prestige Newspaper, Dada Olanipekun, expressed concern over the declining reading culture among young people, blaming the trend on the excessive and unproductive use of social media and modern technology.
Olanipekun lamented that many students no longer see books as valuable sources of knowledge, recalling the popular saying that, “If you want to hide something from a Black man, put it in a book,” as a reflection of society’s growing neglect of reading.
He stressed that despite the digital age, books remain indispensable tools for learning, critical thinking and personal development, urging students to cultivate the habit of reading beyond academic requirements.
The veteran publisher also challenged journalists to embrace community journalism, describing community newspapers as the media platforms closest to the people because they highlight grassroots issues, amplify local voices and contribute meaningfully to democratic development.
Representing former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Mr. Bola Adeyemi commended Olanipekun for sustaining Prestige Newspaper over the past 35 years through factual, balanced and responsible journalism.
He also praised the publisher’s consistent efforts to promote literacy through the donation of books and writing materials to students, describing the initiative as a practical approach to encouraging reading among young people.
Adeyemi urged the organisers to sustain the annual live conversation and continue the distribution of educational materials to public schools across the state to strengthen reading culture among schoolchildren.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Wale Olanrewaju, applauded Prestige Newspaper for organising the public enlightenment programme, describing it as a commendable contribution to education and community development.
Olanrewaju noted that such initiatives would inspire more young people to develop an interest in reading while encouraging greater appreciation and patronage of community newspapers.
He expressed concern over what he described as the worsening reading habits among students, observing that many now “read only to pass examinations rather than to acquire knowledge.”
The anniversary celebration culminated in the presentation of books and other educational materials to selected public schools in Ogun State, reaffirming Prestige Newspaper’s commitment to promoting literacy, educational development and a stronger reading culture among the younger generation.