By Nana Musa
In a bid to combat the declining reading culture among children, the initiative was introduced to promoting literacy and academic excellence.
The Chairman of 0410 CONSULTS LIMITED, Mr Goodluck Hayi, said this during a media conference on reading renaissance themed: “Book the Kids Again” in Abuja on Saturday.
“This campaign will drive change, the project aims to encourage secondary school students to rediscover the joys and benefits of reading.
“The event, scheduled to be launched in October, will bring over 60 students from private schools in Abuja. “The program focuses on secondary school students, with the goal of nurturing a new generation of avid readers and thinkers.
“The program will feature variety of activities designed to engage students and enhance their reading skills. Participants will be encouraged to read and analyze books, fostering critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the material,” he said.
Hayi lamented that attempts to include public schools in the project faced bureaucratic hurdles.
“We encountered resistance and inefficiencies with public schools. By working with private schools, we can ensure that the resources directly benefit the students.”
He said that the event would serve as a model that could inspire broader educational reforms. “We want to demonstrate the impact of reading and show how private initiatives can complement governmental efforts. We’re focusing on grassroots engagement first,” he said.
Hayi said that reading can significantly improve intellectual skills, boost confidence, and enhance overall academic performance of students.
He said that many students today are more inclined in spending their free time on screens than pages.
Hayi urged educators and parents to join forces to launch a “Read to Succeed” initiative to encourage secondary school kids to read at least one book per month, exploring diverse genres and authors.
He said that making reading a priority can empower the next generation to become curious learners, creative thinkers, and compassionate leaders.
Chief Executive Officer of Fibresol Nigeria Limited and a member of the team, Mr Otuya Okecha, said that it was important role of modeling reading culture.
“Books have had a tremendous impact on me, they have stretched my mental capacity, helped me to be more reflective, improve my strategic and analytical skills. Books generally help to give hope,” he said.
Okecha encouraged parents to develop reading habits so that children can emulate their actions. “I believe in modeling, and the best way is to show an example.”
Another member of the “Book the Kids Again” team, Martha Kama, stated that reading books provides incredible inspiration that can shape the future of children.
