Selling books in Nigeria does have its issues. However, i got this interesting report from a field marketer and you will do well to pay attention. The said marketer had taken books to sell at the just ended Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and came back with these:
1. Some potential buyers came to ask booksellers to help them pick which books to buy. One or two confessed that their children wanted books to read and they did not have an idea where to begin.
2. Some went for catchy titles or colourful graphics.
3. Some bought on account of low prices.
4. Others bought because they had seen promotional posters highlighting the book displayed all around the camp
5. A few came with predetermined titles they were looking for and did not spare a thought on the issue of pricing. They had to have the books and that was that.
Still points to this reality that majority of Nigerians read to pass exams. But we should also be encouraged that folks are at least willing to make inquiries and redress the situation.
ReplyDeleteChiji, you do have the point. Too many adults miss out on the goodies in books in these parts because they claim 'they have finished with those things!' I feel like doing a very loud T-shirt: 'Want to stand out: Get caught reading!'
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, the 'get caught reading' line is not original. I got it from a Southern African reading promotions campaign.
But the point has to be made that Nigeria has to read its way out of underdevelopment. And that would take adults resolving not to drop dead until they have finished reading their due allotment of books on this earth!