The National Librarian/CEO, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has been honoured with the Champion of Reading Award by the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria, NBRP.

The prestigious Award was conferred on her during the 5th National Conference on Reading and Annual General Meeting of NBRP held on 25th September, 2025 at TETFund Auditorium Abuja, in recognition of her contribution to the advancement of the reading culture in Nigeria. The Conference themed: "Reading, A Unifying Factor" underscores the power of books to foster dialogue, inclusion and social cohesion.

In a remark after the conferment of the Award, Prof. Anunobi commended the Conveners of the event for their doggedness in taking up the cause of reviving the dwindling reading culture and promoting literacy in Nigeria.

Prof. Anunobi lamented the continuous degeneration of the reading culture in the country, stressing that it calls for a collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to resuscitate. She therefore encouraged all to embrace reading not just for the purpose of passing examination but to broaden knowledge and develop the mind. She challenged parents to create a reading time for their children and also buy book gifts for them instead of deceiving them with smart gadgets which distracts them from reading. “Parents should regulate screen hours and monitor the use of digital facilities.” She charged students to find pleasure in reading, spend less time on television and social media. "You have great inner potentials which must be developed through reading and critical thinking". She cautioned against the dangers of over-dependence on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for reading and writing, emphasizing that constant use of AI will not only affect your writing skills but also kills your critical thinking since AI does not manufacture knowledge but gathers from already produced knowledge. “Reading helps you to stock your brain now for the future, otherwise your brain will be empty and you have nothing to offer when the chips are down” the National Librarian said. 

Also speaking, the Chairman of the event, Prof. Udenta O. Udenta remarked that reading breaks down the frontiers of ignorance, makes way for you and take you where you could not reach ordinarily. He emphasized that readers are leaders, one cannot lead unless you read and acquire knowledge. According to him, reading is habitual and when it takes possession of you, you can transcend all borders, intellectually, politically, socially and otherwise. He therefore charged all, to read and become relevant.

In his Keynote address, Pst. Dr. Dominic Omokaro, stated that "reading is more than a pastime, it is a pathway to peace, cohesion and national development". It binds us across time and space, giving a common vision for the future. He concluded that "if Nigeria must rise above division, if Africa must chart a new destiny, if humanity must thrive in unity - then we must read together, learn together and dream together", Omokaro said.

The Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering reading culture in Nigeria by supporting book clubs and promoting literacy initiatives nationwide.

The National Library of Nigeria promotes readership and literacy through various activities and programmes recording significant impact on the recipients across the nation.