STAKEHOLDERS in the education sector have been asked to step up the teaching of Literature at the junior secondary school level to inculcate the culture of reading into the younger ones.
The Benue State chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, Paul Ugah stated this yesterday at Mkar, Gboko, during flag off of ANA/ Yusuf Ali Reading Campaign in Benue State.
Ugah maintained that the aim of the awareness was to encourage students to read a book per week, saying study of Literature should be strengthened at the junior level of education to revive reading culture.
Delivering his address on the importance of reading and writing culture, a former state chairman of the Association, Sam Ogabidu told the students that reading shapes and sharpens the mind. Hence repositioning them as change makers in the society through writing.
Ogabidu urged the students to feed themselves with good books that would in turn help them to contribute their best to the development of of the society.
Earlier, the Manager of CDM Academy International, Mrs Victoria Akuhwa, in her welcome address commended the Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) Benue State Chapter for reawakening the dwindling reading culture among the students, both in urban and rural areas.
Mrs Akuhwa expressed optimism that the campaign would go a long way to stamp the passion for literature in the hearts and minds of all staff and students of various schools present at the occasion.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Regina Achie Nege during the official unveiling of 2022 ANA Benue/ Dr Frank Kyungun Literary competition for Secondary school students, described the Executive Secretary of Teaching Service Board, Dr Frank Kyungun as a promoter of reading culture and explained that the second edition of the competition the best three students will be rewarded with cash prizes , First position Thirty thousand , second position Fifteen thousand, and Third Position Ten thousand naira.
Mrs. Achie urged the students to purchase a copy of The Holiday Camp from the association to participate in the competition. She enjoined them to call or text 07065900144 for more details.
In their separate remarks, the Principal of Princess Adeja International College Dr Sam Davis and the Literature tutor of Calvary Arrow College, Chukwudi Okolo who spoke on behalf of other schools present, lauded the association for encouraging students to read and also creating an opportunity for them to win prizes during the event, adding that the students would continue to look forward to the next edition of the event because of its impact on them.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal, the Vice Principal of CDM Academy International, Mrs. Celina Gar also thanked the association for giving them the opportunity to host the 2022 flag-off of ANA / Yusuf Ali Reading Campaign and promised to sustain the good relationship between the association and the school.
The highlights of the event were reading by the students and ANA members. ANA members that thrilled the audience with reading include: Sam Ogabidu, Regina Achie Nege’, Hope Idani, Chief Mrs Rhoda Tor-Agbidye, Victoria Aduma, and Aboh Agbochenu.
Other schools that participated in the program include: Princess Adeja International College, Government Secondary School, W.M Bristow Secondary School, Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Calvary Arrow College and Excel Grace Academy.