Date: 2012-06-03

Part of the problems the country is experiencing is hinged on its lack of intellectual leaders who are rich in imagination, critics have said. "20 years ago, Dubai was a mirage. Today, it's reality," one of the critics opined.

With a mind of breeding tomorrow leaders who are thinkers and imaginative geniuses, the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) has championed a literary campaign for children across the country, tagged ANA/Yusuf Ali Literary Awareness Campaign (AYALAC). 

ANA flagged off its campaign, reaching out to 160 secondary schools spread across 16 states, in Ilorin, Kwara State last weekend. The event drew dignitaries from within and outside the state, including Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), who chaired the occasion, renowned lawyer, Yusuf Ali (SAN), ANA chairmen and secretaries and writers across the country, among others. Pupils from schools across the state also spiced up the occasion with a dramatic performance calling attention to the importance of education and the literati in the polity.   

According to the President of ANA, Prof. Remi Raji, the campaign is meant to ignite the reading appetite and the spirit of competition in children. Little wonder then that it chose to hold its campaign during this year's Children Day celebration. 

N150, 000 cheques were given to chairmen of its 16 chapters each to enable them carry out the literary campaign in their states. Beneficiaries included Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Imo, Kaduna, Kwara, Kebbi, Kano, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Niger, Plateau, Abuja and Lagos. Beneficiaries, he said, were picked based on their level of participation and national consideration, among others. 

According to ANA, the project is in phases. Firstly, the chapters are expected to buy and distribute books of its members' worth over N80, 000 to 10 schools in each state. This exercise is scheduled to hold between June 12 and 14. The pupils will have two weeks to peruse the books after which reading/literary competitions will be held in each state, where prizes will be awarded to participants. The exercise, which is the project's second phase, is expected to run between June 26 and 28, according to the organisers. The campaign is in partnership with Yusuf Ali (SAN), sponsor of the campaign to whom it is dedicated to. He donated N3 million for the project.

The dwindling reading culture, Ali  said, inspired his sponsorship of the campaign. He decried the dying reading culture in the country, especially among students, noting it is a major cause of the crises facing the polity. He urged pupils to broaden their intellect by reading wide.