Reading is a process of learning, and learning is said to be a continuous process. Many Nigerians don’t read, especially after graduation from an institution of higher learning, and diverse reasons have been adduced for this anomaly – including lack of time, lack of resources to acquire books, lack of libraries, erroneous belief that reading stops in school, and other sundry reasons.
Research in Nigeria affirms that, through reading, humans have the tools to transmit knowledge to each succeeding generation; it allows one to listen to the wisdom and people of the ages. It follows then that to understand the future, one can take into the wisdom of the past and, like Isaac Newton, lean on the shoulders of giants past to see farther into the future.
Apart from getting an opportunity to learn from past generations, a person who reads will be:
- Mentally stimulated
Studies have shown that reading as a way of cognitive stimulating can reduce progression to (or even prevent) diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Reading is a way to stimulate brain activity, because the brain, like every other body muscle, needs exercise. Keeping the brain stimulated through reading is a good way to keep it “alive”.
- “Stress”less
We all have many factors that can raise our blood levels and induce stress. Lagos traffic is one of such. Relationships, tension at work and personal factors also come in handy in this regard. However taking medications for the reduction of stress have been known to create other, even more serious, problems. Nothing reduces “stress without stress” as much as reading a good story. A well-written story transports you from physical to other realms, and stress is blown away in the process.
- Knowledgeable
A wonderful thing about reading extensively is that you pick up bits of information that ALWAYS come in handy when you least expect. Bits of information picked up from reading make you feel knowledgeable to your friends, and they come to rely on you for information as time goes by which makes you relevant and needed. This also boosts your self-esteem. Knowledge is power.
- Memory-Improved
The brain is a wonderful resource. Scientists have shown that an average human being doesn’t use more than 8 percent of the brain’s capacity. It is exhilarating to think about what the remaining 92 percent can support. Research has shown that cognitive stimulation can help the brain grasps complex plots, history, ambitions, plans, shifts and turns. As difficult as this may appear to the ear, it’s child’s play to the brain. Every memory created helps the brain form new synapses (or pathways) and reinforce existing ones. These, scientists say, assist short time memory recall.
- A Better Writer
Reading well-written stories can help develop a reader’s writing ability. This is because the reader picks up new words and ideas. The reader equally knowingly or otherwise learns the writing styles of the writers he is frequently exposed to – their cadence and fluidity inclusive. This automatically reflects on the reader’s writing and invariably makes it better.
- Tranquil
Reading can bring about a feeling of inner peace and tranquillity. This is especially common in the reading of spiritual texts i.e. the Bible and Koran. Other related books can also be of help in this regard. Reading self-help books has also been proven to help those suffering from mood disorders and mild mental illnesses overcome their situation and achieve a sense of mental equilibrium.
- Entertained
Reading provides a form of entertainment. When you step away from your all-distracting smartphone or computer and pick up a book, you are going on treasure chase that will leave you entertained as well as informed. The beautiful thing about reading a book is that you always feel better at the end than before you started.
It will not feel proper to end this piece without recalling the wordings of a commercial to encourage reading among Nigerians sponsored by the National Library of Nigeria. The commercial which ran on many radio stations in Nigeria was delivered in Pidgin English. It said: “Beta dey inside okra soup o. If you read, your eyes go open.”