The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) is set to revive reading culture among teenagers with the hosting of “Reading Hour”, a reading competition set to encourage students to inculcate the habit of reading and appreciating books as the only way to grow intellectually.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor Prof kolawole Salako charged students to choose a career in their early days to have enough time and opportunities to pursue their dreams, admonishing them to shun the get rich quick mindset that has gone viral in the society.
Prof. Salako urged youths not to see education as a scam but should rather face their studies squarely and take education seriously, adding that it pays off in the end as a venture that better people’s lives.
Speaking on his career choice, the Don reveals that his decision to be a Professor was inspired by the books he read since his secondary school days, stressing that reading exposed his mind to make that decision early in his life while determination and diligence helped him to achieve it.
The Reading Hour which was held at the Ijegba abode of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, which had earlier was ceded to the University to expand the frontier of knowledge in the areas of academic, cultural, ecological and recreational studies that could strengthen the integration of science and humanities.
The Reading Hour is a 3-day reading programme, which had selected Secondary Schools in Abeokuta as participants while Prof. Wole Soyinka’s Book, “The Trial of Brother Jero” was read on the first day of the programme.
Dignitaries at the event are, the Director-General, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nterenyan Sanginga, who encouraged the students to make reading culture a vital part of their lifestyle and aim for the best in all they do.
Also present are the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Christian Ikeobi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the University Librarian, Prof. Fehintola Onifade, Director, Works and Services, Engr. Olawole Akinyele and the Head, Public Relations, Mr. Kolawole Adepoju, among others.
