Nigerian novelist and MacArthur Fellowship 2008 Award winner, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has said that students who do not have the passion for reading, cannot write good essays, as she urged students who aspire to be great to make reading and writing a habit.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Speaking at the Airtel Employees Volunteer Scheme, held at Airtel Corporate office, Banana Island Lagos, Adichie said: “Reading is part of any writing experience. Reading is fun, it’s something that you should do because it’s enjoyable.”
According to her, reading exercises the brain, adding that it makes one recall easily. While encouraging students not to limit their reading to school textbooks, she tasked them to read story books stressing that it is more important than textbooks.
“Reading story books make students have knowledge of a complex, because it is more narrative,” she said. Adichie who had her early education at the University of Nigeria, Nnsukka Staff school said, she read widely because she had access to the school library in her primary school. She said: “In writing, you are engaging what you learned from reading, thereby making it difficult to forget. Reading gives me joy in addition to writing.
I read everyday.” I read two books the same time. I read fiction and non fiction books the same time. She urged parents to let their children have diverse of reading materials, adding that whateverone wants to become, reading is important. “Your ability to write well can help you in your life.
If you are not a good reader, you cannot communicate effectively. Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Office and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya said: “Airtel is not just passionate about education, we are also intensely interested in helping children especially underprivileged kids.”
VANGAURD
