The Kwara State Government has urged youths and civil servants to embrace reading, saying a well-informed population would be better equipped to make sound decisions and contribute to a peaceful society.

The Acting Head of Service, Kwara State, Olufunke Shittu, made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 Readers' Day Celebration in Ilorin, where participants examined the role of reading in promoting peace and addressing insecurity.

The event was organised around the theme "Open a Book, Close the Door Against Insecurity: Reading for Peace and a Safer Nigeria."

Shittu said the importance of reading extended beyond academic success, stressing that regular engagement with books and other credible materials could strengthen critical thinking and improve people's ability to communicate and make informed choices.

"Reading should not be regarded merely as an academic activity or something reserved for examinations, but should become an integral part of everyday life and continuous personal and professional development," she said.

Shittu particularly charged civil servants to make continuous learning part of their professional lives, noting that changes in government policies, technology, procedures and methods of service delivery required workers to constantly update their knowledge.

She encouraged public servants to use books, journals, policy documents and other credible resources, whether in physical libraries or through electronic platforms, while verifying the reliability of information before relying on it.

The Acting Head of Service also urged workers to continually improve their skills in line with changing demands and global best practices.

Phillips commended the state government for its support for the library board, particularly in infrastructure, digital literacy and policies aimed at making library services more responsive to the needs of residents.

He also acknowledged Shittu's support for the library system, including efforts to build the capacity of librarians and strengthen the place of libraries within the state public service.