Proprietor, Oak Business School (Monotechnic), Dr Lance Musa Elakama, has decried the poor reading culture among Nigerians, particularly, youths and called for a change.

Elakama, a former Deputy Director- General, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), also disclosed that writing a book is an act of giving back to the society.

Reminding that knowledge is power, Elakama said youths should be encouraged to read books, as it exposes them, broadens their knowledge on global issues and shapes their destinies.

“People no longer read but they should be encouraged to read because knowledge is power. There is no shortcut to it.” Elakama spoke at the launch of his three books held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
 
The books are titled Starting and Growing your own business; Principles in Capital Management; and The ground rules for the journey of Life.
 
At the event, an elated Elakama said his decision to write the books was part of his resolve to give back to the society. He said: “I believe if you write a book, you are giving back to the society because if you die without passing on your knowledge, it is wasted. So, one needs to positively impact the younger generation by giving back to them through knowledge sharing.”
 
He said his book on starting and growing your own business was targeted at entrepreneurs and small business owners on how to boost their businesses.
 
Elakama identified perseverance and high integrity as key ingredients of a thriving business. To tackle the increasing cases of unemployment, Elakama stressed the need for Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship, saying in doing so, one is taking jobless youths off the streets.
 
People must learn how to start small, by doing so, you are taking the unemployed off the streets and invariably reducing unemployment. The business enterprise is the way to go.
 
In his remarks at the ceremony, Elakama said: “Writing a book is not an easy task, it requires dedication, determination, tenacity and the burning of the midnight oil.

The primary purpose of writing a book is to share, impart knowledge and wisdom to other, not necessarily to make money. It is an act of giving back to the society, on that premise, I feel fulfilled that I’m giving back to the society.”He listed the common traits of successful people to include integrity, self respect, perseverance, empathy and motivation.
 
The seasoned scholar and legal luminary pointed out that there are three kinds of people in life-givers, takers and matchers. According to him, givers are always generous with what they have-time, knowledge, skill, mentoring and energy while takers believe in the doctrine of zero-sum game, winners take all. Matchers on the other hand, strive to preserve an equal balance of giving and taking.
 
In their separate remarks while reviewing the books, Mr Femi Awoyemi, Ike Onyechi and Michael Fadeyi, emphasised the importance of reading, stressing that to succeed, one must develop himself through continuous learning. They lauded the author for giving back to the society and urged him not to rest on his oars.

In his goodwill message, Prof Mike Ihariale, said Nigerians should value intellectualism, as it is the only way for the country to make progress. Ihariale said the three books authored by the former SEC boss are intellectual assets and legacies that must be preserved.