Ben U. Nwanne is a professor of communication, author, researcher and reader.
He trained first as an educationist before pivoting to reading Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria and then at the University of Lagos. He persisted and earned a doctorate.
Prof Ben Nwanne has broad communication experience in journalism and public relations.
His books include Media, Environmental Sustainability & National Development in Nigeria (2014), Essentials of News Reporting and Writing (2008, 2016),
Functional Public Relations (2015) and Strategic Advertising (2022, Tetfund).
What are you reading currently?
I am currently reading Why Nations Fail (Acemologlu and Robinson, 2013)
What informs your choice of a book to read?
My book choice is informed by such materials’ currency, relevance, and intellectual and literary quality.
Which books rate as the Top Ten in your reading experience?
My top 10 books are:
- The Trouble With Nigeria (Achebe,1983)
- Gifted Hands (Carlson,1990)
- The Odyssey of Emmanuel Onyeike Efeizomor II (Ukala and Nwanne, 2018)
- Talent is Never Enough (Maxwell, 2007)
- Long Walk to Freedom (Mandela, 1994)
- Success Habits (Hill)
- Born to Run (Olojede, Adinoyi-Ojo)
- The Audacity of Hope (Obama)
- Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
- The Concubine (Elechi Amadi).
Which books would you return to again and again?
I will always return to The Trouble With Nigeria and The Concubine.
Please suggest five essential books and five general interest books for young people.
Five general books for young people:
a. Dare to be a Success (Robert Tilton)
b. Success Habits (Hill, 2022)
c. The Trouble With Nigeria (Achebe, 1983)
d. Talent is Never Enough (John Maxwell, 2007)
e. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey, 2004)
What role did being a bibliophile play in your career?
Being a bibliophile has encouraged me to work hard and try to achieve something worthwhile in my little way.
Do you prefer hard copy or digital texts?
I prefer hard copies.
Any preference between fiction and non-fiction?
I prefer a judicious combination of both fiction and nonfiction.
What is your view of the notion that Nigerians do not read?
Yes, indeed, many Nigerians do not read. The struggle for survival often diverts attention from reading. They also believe, with more than a pinch of salt, that reading does not make anyone rich, especially as many graduates of tertiary institutions lack jobs.
What are your general thoughts on the benefits and disadvantages of reading?
Reading expands one’s horizons and increases knowledge in many areas.
Reading encourages thoughtfulness, reasonableness and even godliness.
