Obaseki leads campaign to revive reading culture in Edo

…flays dearth of literary clubs in schools, to leverage on tech

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has pledged his administration's commitment to reviving the reading culture in the state with a view to address challenges confronting the basic and post-primary education system.

Speaking at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Edo Reading Culture Campaign 2018 in Benin on Friday, Obaseki said poor reading culture amongst other challenges plague Nigeria’s educational system.

The Reading Campaign was organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in collaboration with the Edo State Government in the seven Local Government Areas in Edo South Senatorial District of the state.

Governor Obaseki said that in a technology age, students need to learn how to read and write to be able to access information on the internet and do well in academics.

He regretted that most schools no longer have Literary Societies, which according to him, is useful in inculcating reading habits in pupils and students.

"No knowledge is gained if we do not read, the television culture was not in vogue during our days; we had a thriving reading culture", he said.

He told the students that his administration would not only concentrate on building infrastructure in schools but on the provision of quality education to enable children contribute positively to nation building.

"We are concerned about the quality of education you receive and are improving the Colleges of Education, where we train your teachers to enable them teach you properly. We have carried out survey on the numbers of schools in the state and want to put solar cells in your schools to provide adequate lighting,” he said.

Noting that government was keen on safeguarding school assets, he said, "We are not happy about vandalism of facilities in your schools, we want you to be vigilant and report anyone who destroys facilities in your various schools.”

The governor assured students that the state government would introduce the use of technology in the teaching and learning process in primary schools in the state and that tablets to be distributed in students would be pre-loaded with novels and storybooks.

The highlight of the event was when the governor, the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie Esq., the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Akerele joined the students in a group reading session.

Chairman, Edo State Chapter, ANA, Mr. Goodluck Ogbeide, said the reading campaign was organised to support the Edo State Government effort to improve reading culture in schools across the state.

PHOTO CAPTION

Governor Godwin Obaseki (middle) reading with Okuomose Wisdom of Obazua Primary School (left); Awesome Zoe Igberase of Emotan Primary School (2nd left); Faith Ereboro of Lumley Primary School (2nd right); Sunday Glory of Oba Ewuare Primary School (right) at the flag-off ceremony of Edo Reading Culture Campaign organised by the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and the state government, at Imaguero College Hall, in Benin City on Friday, January 26, 2018.