A non-government organisation, Live Abundantly, has called on the government to give priority to education.
Founder, Live Abundantly, Dr. Ama, on Tuesday, gave this advice at the unveiling of the Young Authors’ Reading Circle where a nine-year-old author, Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga, read his book, titled, ‘Madisa and the Runaway Cat,’ to pupils of Ikoyi Primary School, Lagos.
Ama explained that the book reading was also in commemoration of Children’s Day.
She said, “The government should make education a priority; it is the most important infrastructure. Educated children become empowered youths who can contribute to the development of a country. Let’s begin the task by working on our children.
“We cannot have a society with children who are illiterates. The Young Authors’ Reading Circle is a forum where young authors come to read their books to their peers because there is power in the information children give. Many children are not reading. We want to encourage children to express themselves.”
A member of the Board of Trustees of the NGO, Mr. Peter Armand-Boyo, said a lot of children do not have the opportunity to express themselves, adding that the Young Authors’ Reading Circle would create such an avenue for them.
“Children should take reading more seriously; children need to read so that they can be intellectually sound with words, diction and vocabulary. They should read and reading classes should be restored in schools,” Armand-Boyo said.
Another board member, Ms. Ngozi Ezeachi, said, “We are here to encourage children to read. We are starting here and we hope to move to other primary schools.
“It is amazing seeing young children write. The pupils here are incredibly smart children. I’m impressed Fiyinfoluwa can carry them along.”
The Headteacher of the school, Mrs. Tolu Omole, said she was very impressed with Asenuga’s creativity and reading style, saying his presentation was a motivation to her pupils.
“They are motivated by the programme and I know a lot of them will also write their books soon,” she said.
Also speaking, a member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Gbenga Oguntayo, said, “With social media, the reading culture is declining every day.
“It is important to encourage children to always read. There are many challenges in the education sector. It is important not to leave it to the government alone to do. Private sectors need to assist too.”
Punch
