BookNation today paid a courtesy visit to the Kogi State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Lokoja, where the delegation was warmly received by the State Director, Mrs. Ayedime Alli Aliku, alongside heads of departments of the agency.
The BookNation delegation briefed the agency on the organization’s vision of building a reading culture through intentional reading, lifelong learning, transformational knowledge development, and community-based literacy programmes.
The delegation also highlighted BookNation’s achievements in Kogi State, including the establishment of about 50 literacy centres across Omala, Ajaokuta, and Lokoja Local Government Areas.
The State Director of NOA commended BookNation’s commitment to literacy and nation-building and expressed the agency’s readiness to collaborate with the organization.
She specifically invited BookNation to partner with the National Orientation Agency during the International Literacy Day celebration on September 8, 2026, encouraging the organization to make books available during the event.
As part of the engagement, NOA officials educated members of BookNation on the proper use of Nigeria’s national symbols. They explained that the three stanzas of the National Anthem are sung only during national occasions such as Independence Day, Presidential Inauguration, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day, and the inauguration of members of the National Assembly.
For other official events, only the first stanza should be sung, while the third stanza should be recited as the National Prayer at the beginning of programmes, and the National Pledge should be recited at the end. Members of BookNation were presented with pamphlets containing the National Anthem, National Pledge, and these official guidelines.
The Director also presented the National Identity Project book to the BookNation delegation, emphasizing its message: “We Must Build Nigerians to Build Nigeria.” The publication contains the National Values Charter, the Nigerian Promise, the Seven Core Commitments—Equality; Democracy; Entrepreneurship and Employment; Peace and Security; Inclusivity; Freedom and Justice; and Meritocracy—as well as the Citizen Codes of Discipline, Duty of Care, Tolerance and Respect, Leadership, Transparency, Environmental Awareness, and Resilience, together with the Seven Institutionalization Policies for promoting national values.
During the interactive session, the Director sought to understand the place of digital literacy in BookNation’s programmes. Responding on behalf of the organization, Manuel Mayeoma RAHIM, BookNation Ambassador, Emmanuel Ibrahim, CTS, explained that BookNation does not see technology as the enemy of reading. Rather, the challenge is the absence of purpose for reading. He stated that BookNation integrates digital skills into its literacy programmes because technology, when guided by purpose, enables deep learning instead of endless scrolling.
He explained that BookNation distinguishes between information consumption and deep learning, noting that scrolling through short digital content is largely information consumption, whereas intentional reading, purposeful learning, and lifelong learning lead to the acquisition of transformational knowledge—knowledge that shapes strong character, creates measurable positive impact, inspires enduring prosperity, strengthens holistic resilience, promotes sustainable individual, institutional, and societal development, and leaves lasting legacies.
Speaking further, Manuel Mayeoma RAHIM lamented the collapse of public and school libraries and the disappearance of reading clubs across Nigeria. He stressed that until Nigerians return to reading, many of the country’s social, economic, and governance challenges may persist. He described reading as more than a skill but a lifelong discipline essential for personal growth and national transformation
