A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Olufemi Bamiro; a popular scholar from the same university, Prof. Francis Egbokhare; an educationist, Mrs. Funsho Adegbola; a Public Affairs Officer from the United States (U.S) Consulate in Nigeria, Julie McKay; an author, Edem Dorothy Ossai, and others, yesterday, said book reading is very important, saying declining reading culture must be reversed.
  
They made the call during the launch of the book titled: ‘’Role Model Series for African Children,’’ by Edem Dorothy Ossai, and the commissioning of a new library and a digital centre in commemoration of World Book and Copyright Day, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
  
The event was organised by Ossai in collaboration with Mentoring Assistance for Youths and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAIYEIN).The book was reviewed by Mr. Bolaji Oladipo, an ace broadcaster. Egbohkare was the Chairman, while Tobi Moody was the keynote speaker. There was a panel session, which Kawthar Arinola Omisore moderated. The panel had Ebun Feludu, and Edmund Obilo as panelists.
  
Bamiro maintained that everything must be done to encourage reading culture, saying technology has taken students away from reading.
  
The former VC said: ‘’I can’t compare what we were in secondary school to what one sees now. It looks like technology has taken students away from reading. So, the culture of reading has to be brought back. It is not negotiable.”