Foundation launches reading initiative with libraries, 4,192 books

At a donation ceremony in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of ZODML,Mrs Ifeoma Esiri said the opening of four additional Oasis Libraries with each of them having 1,048 books is in line with the Foundation’s aspiration of ensuring that everyone in Nigeria becomes enlightened through the reading initiative.“Our mission is to provide free channel through […]

At a donation ceremony in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of ZODML,
Mrs Ifeoma Esiri said the opening of four additional Oasis Libraries with each of them having 1,048 books is in line with the Foundation’s aspiration of ensuring that everyone in Nigeria becomes enlightened through the reading initiative.
“Our mission is to provide free channel through which Nigerians can access information and learning tools to acquire knowledge. The four libraries and the books we are opening today are part of the free channels,” Esiri said.
The Chief Executive Officer said when the Foundation commenced the initiative 10 years ago, it was geared towards correcting the anomaly whereby pupils were leaving school unable to read and “this showed us the need for the establishment of more libraries with book and we have had to institute literacy programmes in these libraries”.
Esiri further said by the end of 2016, the foundation wishes to double the number of these libraries by adding an additional 10. She however lamented the 20 percent import duty placed on books should be reconsidered as it is affecting book importation into the country, useful books that can enhance literacy level.
In her remarks, the State Chairperson of Universal Basic Education (SUBEB),Mrs Gbolahan Daodu said the donation of libraries and books
will spur a greater interest in the reading culture which is greatly ebbing among Nigerian youths.
“Today’s kids need everything that will stimulate them more to reading which of course will also increase literacy level. ZODML initiative is worth emulating as it is complementing government effort in engendering literacy,” Daodu, who was represented by Karima Olabimpe, said.
Headteacher, Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Mrs Modile Fuadat said the opening of the library in her school will aid the teachers effort in teaching the pupils as most of the books with illustrations are what children needed to get better in their learning.
The benefiting schools include: Lagos Island Local Government Primary School, Anwar-Ul-Islam Primary School, Anwar-Ul-Islam Girls Primary School and Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos Island.