Live Abundantly; a non-governmental organization, has urged the government to prioritize education.
Dr. Ama, the founder of Live Abundantly, delivered this advice on Tuesday during the launching of the Young Authors’ Reading Circle, where nine-year-old author Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga read his novel, “Madisa and the Runaway Cat,” to students at Ikoyi Primary School in Lagos.
Ama clarified that the book reading was also held, honouring Children’s Day.
In her remark,
“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”.
The school’s headteacher, Mrs. Tolu Omole, expressed her admiration for Asenuga’s originality and reading manner, noting that his presentation inspired her students.
“They are motivated by the programme and I know a lot of them will also write their own books soon”, she stated.
According to Mr. Peter Armand-Boyo, a member of the NGO’s Board of Trustees, many kids lack the chance to express themselves, but the Young Authors’ Reading Circle would give them a platform to do so.
In his words,
“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”.
Also, Ms. Ngozi Ezeachi, a board member, noted,
“We are here to encourage children to read. We are starting off 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 is able to carry them along”.
In addition, Mr. Gbenga Oguntade, a trustee and member of the Board of Trustees, stated: “With social media, the reading culture is declining daily.
“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.”
cc: Punch Ng
