THE PROMOTION OF READING AND RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - KANO BOOK FAIR 2021

Today 5th of October 2021 marks the opening ceremony of the maiden three-day Book Fair in Kano and it was Professor Yusuf Adamu that presented a speech titled "The Promotion of Reading and Research for Sustainable Development." I therefore feel the urge to share some takeaway from the oceans he took us for the dive to create a multiplicity of the message though concentrating on the reading culture aspect of it. Prof. emphasized that reading must be inculcated from childhood, and we must make kids and students understand that we read to learn, we read to understand, we read to be enlightened and much more. We don't just read to pass exams; this is a key to changing our mindset towards reading culture.

Prof. further registered his lamentation that most houses do have a dining area but hardly a reading area or rather library, yet at the end, owing to Hausa tradition where most families sit together to eat on the floor, the dining area subsequently becomes an assignment area. It can be equipped and make it official as study area. We should, as well, introduce books to our kids. we buy toys and other stuff for them but as for books, we only buy recommended texts from their schools. Learn to incorporate books when buying gift for your children. When buying cakes for their birthdays also, buy books for them, this trend will set their mind at unprecedented level of personal development. 

Lack of available fora where books are discussed are also a major setback to our reading habit. Communities can create platforms where books and related things can be discussed. This will go a long way in promoting reading culture in the society and definitely making the society more enlightened. Prof. sighted examples with Bayero University Community where such groups are present, and they are hubs for many aspiring writers. Public libraries are no longer a thing which ultimately deprived people from inhaling the literary atmosphere. Some may argue that the advent of digital era, specifically smart phones may render libraries obsolete as they do contain virtually all the books we need but little did they know that it's more of distraction to us. 

Community libraries too have also vanished. "Do we have (public)  Islamic libraries?" Prof asked. Prof. highlighted that nobody produces literary materials in Africa in Hausa language as we do, here in Kano state, which made him stressed upon organizing more of this event to keep the tempo and do more. He ended the presentation by calling on Kano Chamber of  Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) to take this Book Fair to the next level through sponsoring works and researches to encourage reading and studies in general. Also a call on harmony between academia and the government as a body to bridge the gap, as that  will be of immense help to the state as a whole. 

He finally, highlighted the need for database for all the experts Kano has, both indigenous and the residents, as that will pave a way for spontaneous development with proper collaborations and government supports. It's not surprising for those that knew Prof. Yusuf Adamu to bring up these concerns and proffer solutions that are so simple, applicable and result oriented towards metamorphosing our entire reading culture for good at both personal and community level. But for those hearing his name for the first time, he is a professor of Medical Geography, writer, poet, blogger, photographer, Fulbright Fellow, Social Science Academy of Nigeria Laureate, member, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Immediate past Head of Geography Department and Director Bayero University Press, Kano, Nigeria. 

May God bless your life sir and in commemoration of World Teachers Day, I pray that Allah bless all our teachers, elevate their status fid Dunya wal Akhira. 

May books be always with us!