JONATHAN HINGES NATION'S GROWTH ON KNOWLEDGE

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has stated that for Nigeria to develop, it must enthrone a culture of book reading, adding that knowledge must be made a foundation for economic development.

The President said this on Monday while launching 'Bring Back the Book' campaign at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

The event was attended by Prof. J.P. Clark; renowned poet, Odia Ofeimun; Chairman, Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspapers, Dr. Reuben Abati, among others.

Jonathan said the future of the nation's reading culture had become a source of concern and that was why he had invited Nigerians to the critical issue of bringing back the book.

He also stated that the nation was fighting a battle to lift the educational system, which he said necessitated the national summit on education recently.

He urged all Nigerians to take the campaign for a viable book culture to all corners of the country.

He said: 'We should have a book in our hands at all times'.

In his remarks, Ofeimun commended the president for the initiative, saying it was the first time a national leader would not put on the airs of an overbearing patriarch.

He added that it was heartening to meet a new type of leaders, who had concern for books and was ready to lead by example, saying reading is an equaliser of people.