It has been discovered that the dearth of reading culture among Nigerians, especially young ones, is one of the factors affecting the quality of education and which is also hampering the development of the nation.
So, to encourage pupils to become engaged and motivated readers, there is need to create a reading culture among them.
It is to this end that Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA, District 9110, Nigeria, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Murrieta, California, U.S.A, recently launched a library project equipped with 640 books and a computer in Anglican Primary School and Ogudu Nursery/Primary School, Ogudu, Lagos.
Speaking at the inauguration of the library project, the charter president, Rotary Club of Ogudu, G.R.A, Lagos and a politician, Chief Mrs. Onikepo Oshodi, said the move is a step towards reviving the reading culture among Nigerians and also to make reading fun to them in the interest of the overall development of the nation.
“We are donating 640 books to the library we are launching today; this is what we are handing over to Lagos State government through Anglican Primary School and Ogudu Nursery/Primary School. We are also giving out a computer, but I can assure you to expect more books and computers.”
According to Oshodi, recent developments have revealed that the reading culture among Nigerians, especially the youths and students, have waned significantly, “hence the need to stem the tide. There is need for us to revive reading culture among pupils.
“The main objective of cultivating and promoting a reading culture is to make reading a habit that is appreciated and loved by citizens.”
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While charging the primary school pupils to ensure that they read the books in the library, Oshodi pointed out the need to create awareness on the importance of reading among pupils and not necessarily to pass exams but to develop reading as a habit and culture. “Without the opportunity to read widely, what is taught in the classroom cannot be reinforced. Consequently, pupils cannot develop skills of locating, selecting, organising, manipulating, evaluating and processing information,” she said.
On his part, the acting governor, Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA, Rasheed Saheed, enjoined the head teacher of the school to ensure that the library is used judiciously by encouraging pupils to read always.
The new library, according to the representative of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Engineer Adegboyega Banjo, will enhance the reading culture of the pupils in the schools. “Most of our leaders today went through public schools. We love what rotary club is doing all over the state; their collaboration is visible in the areas of health, education, water sanitation, among others. Government cannot do everything,” said Banjo.
The convener of the project and president, Rotary Club of Ogudu, District 9110, Mrs. Ojinika Okeke, appreciated the efforts of Mrs. Oshodi who has been instrumental in getting fund for the library project, adding that it is a continuous project because the club will on a monthly basis visit the library to ensure its proper maintenance.
Responding the head teacher of the school, Mrs. Modupe Sontan, assured members of the club that the library will be maintained.
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