Poetry Enthusiasts Decry Decline In Reading Culture

Prominent academics and poetry enthusiasts yesterday at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, Edo State lamented the decline in reading culture among Nigerians.

The event tagged, “Battle of the Stanzas,” was a poetry competition that aimed to reignite the passion for poetry and literary engagement in the country.

Professor Eunice Omozojie, a special guest of honor, attributed the decline in reading culture to modern technology, noting that it had eroded the habit of reading among many Nigerian youths.

“Reading culture has declined in our society, and I put the blame majorly on technology,” she said, “It has changed our lives a lot. Instead of taking time to read, people want to check on their phones.”

Eriata Oribhabor, CEO of Poets in Nigeria, echoed similar sentiments, calling on the government to support initiatives that promote reading culture and poetry.

“Government must promote and support it through the Nigeria Poetic Festival,” he said, “This group, on its own, supports reading culture, and it is part of the ways of bringing back the culture.”

The conveners of the event, Barrister Douglas Ogbankwa and Godson Osarenren, stated that the initiative was informed by the need to bring back the old days of Nigerian dominance in literary engagement.

Ogbankwa, who is also the President of the Benin Writer Society, added that the event aimed to regurgitate the golden days where poetry was the mirror of society.