As a way of improving reading culture in Nigeria, government was recently asked to equip school libraries with literary books in addition to the University Basic Education textbooks. Mr Samuel Kolawole, Managing Director of University Press, made this known at the just concluded Authors’ Forum in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of University Press Plc held at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan.

Kolawole urged that students should be exposed to more literary works to enable them acquire rounded knowledge. The MD recalled that the publishing industry has developed over the years and the fortunes of authors have improved tremendously.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof John Pepper Clark disclosed that it is rare to see publishers meet with authors and it is a welcome development because there had been a great divide between them. Clark enjoined publishers to accept manuscripts and get them marketed rather than get them stocked in warehouses. His words “ We should leave here a little better for our children and the nation because there is tremendous hope for our children and the country because they would salvage the country from the current situation”.

Chairman Board of Directors, University Press Plc, Dr Lekan Are in his address noted that writers constitute a very important group of people whose works are crucial to the development of the country. The bulk of the work lies with authors because it is only when they write that we can publish. Therefore, it is only through what they produce that we can achieve the dream of reshaping our society.

“ This can be done by turning in good and responsible manuscripts and writers must be willing to work with good editors who will sometimes suggest drastic changes to what the writers think are the best part of their manuscripts. It is through this that good books can be produced and our mutual dreams realized ” he explained.
Prof Bimpe Ike, a traditional ruler enjoined authors and publishers to make libraries the third leg of publishing and that before any school in the country can be accredited, such a school should have a well equipped library.”

While giving goodwill messages, Mr Ben Akpan, a member of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria said the association was pleased to have a relationship with the University Press Plc and that the union has benefited immensely. UPP he noted has done a lot in assisting authors by stimulating them to write by organizing seminars for them.
Mr Peter Lasa urged that both authors and publishers should work together and seek greater cooperation between the two.

Adeola Adeoye also called on the management of UPP to revive and resusitate publishing of books on history so that people would learn from past.
Professor Ayo Bamgbose commended the publishing house for promoting Nigerian languages that have been neglected over the years, noting that it should publish more Nigerian languages so that the culture of the people would not be easily forgotten.

Professor Akinwunmi Ishola, said that unless people are competent in their native language, they may not be able to acquire other languages. We have abandoned our languages, which have helped us to acquire those qualities that make a man. We should not neglect our mothers’ tongue but we should introduce them to our children at their tender ages.

Dr Ola Adeniyi, a member of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Abuja said that books are a source of knowledge and people should read extensively so that they can be versed about life. He commended the UPP management for its invaluable role in the publishing industry and advised it to continue with the good works.
Other prominent guests that graced the occasion include Prof (Eze) Chukwuemeka Ike, Professor Femi Osofisan, Professor Adimora Akachi Ezeigbo, Chief O. Okuboyejo, Mr Durosimi-Etti, Malam Singi among others.