The Kwara State Government has called on youths and civil servants to cultivate the habit of reading, stressing that access to reliable knowledge can help citizens make better decisions and promote peace in society.
The Acting Head of Service, Olufunke Shittu, made the appeal on Wednesday during the 2026 Readers’ Day Celebration in Ilorin.
The programme, themed “Open a Book, Close the Door Against Insecurity: Reading for Peace and a Safer Nigeria,” focused on how reading can contribute to peaceful coexistence and help tackle insecurity.
Shittu said reading should not be limited to academic pursuits, arguing that regular exposure to books and other trustworthy materials could enhance critical thinking, communication skills and informed decision-making.
“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.
She urged civil servants to make continuous learning a key part of their careers, noting that evolving government policies, technology, work procedures and service delivery methods require public workers to regularly update their knowledge.
The acting Head of Service advised workers to make use of books, journals, policy documents and other credible materials available through physical libraries and digital platforms. She also stressed the need to verify information before acting on it.
Shittu further encouraged civil servants to develop their skills in response to changing workplace requirements and international best practices.
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She commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting human capital development and capacity building within the state civil service.
According to her, “such support has helped improve the competence and morale of the workforce, while creating opportunities for continuous professional development.”
Earlier, the Director of the Kwara State Library, Thomas Phillips, said the event was organised to highlight the importance of books and libraries in building a knowledgeable and enlightened society.
Phillips said reading could contribute to peaceful coexistence by promoting tolerance, understanding and critical thinking among individuals.
He said, “When a child opens a book, he closes his mind to crime. When a youth embraces the library, he embraces peace.”
The library director added that a strong reading culture could equip people with the knowledge and reasoning required to settle disputes without resorting to violence.
Phillips also praised the state government for its support of the library board, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, digital literacy and policies designed to make library services more responsive to residents.
He equally acknowledged Shittu’s contribution to the library system, including efforts to strengthen librarians’ capacity and enhance the role of libraries within the state public service.