The call was made on Tuesday during a live conversation themed "Community Media in Our Nascent Democracy: The Ogun State Example," organised as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of Prestige Newspaper, held at NUJ Hall, Iwe-Iroyin, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the event, the Publisher of Prestige Newspaper, Dada Olanipekun, lamented the declining reading culture among youths and students, attributing the trend to the misuse of social media and modern technology.
According to him, the popular saying that "if you want to hide something from a Black man, put it in a book" reflects the growing neglect of books and reading among many young people.
He stressed the need to promote reading habits, noting that books remain invaluable sources of knowledge despite advances in digital technology.
Olanipekun also urged journalists to embrace community journalism, describing community newspapers as the closest medium to the people because they focus on grassroots issues and give voice to local communities.
Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, represented by Mr. Bola Adeyemi, commended the publisher for sustaining the newspaper for 35 years with factual and balanced reportage.
He praised Olaonipekun's commitment to journalism and his efforts in promoting literacy through the donation of books and writing materials to students, describing the initiative as a practical way of making reading attractive to both students and the general public.
Amosun further encouraged the organisers to sustain the annual live conversation and the distribution of educational materials to public schools to boost reading culture among schoolchildren.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Wale Olanrewaju, applauded Prestige Newspaper for organising the public enlightenment programme.
He said such initiatives would encourage young people to develop an interest in reading while also promoting the patronage of community newspapers.
The NUJ chairman expressed concern over what he described as the declining reading habit among students, lamenting that many now "read only to pass examinations rather than to acquire knowledge."
The anniversary celebration also featured the presentation of books and educational materials to selected public schools in Ogun State as part of efforts to encourage reading among students.
