Youths demand rehabilitation of library in FCT council

Some members of the Bwari Youths Forum in Bwari Area Council of the FCT have called for urgent rehabilitation of the council’s library to revive reading culture among school children in the area. They said the move would also improve educational development, provide a conducive learning environment, and enhance academic performance among students across the […]

Some members of the Bwari Youths Forum in Bwari Area Council of the FCT have called for urgent rehabilitation of the council’s library to revive reading culture among school children in the area.

They said the move would also improve educational development, provide a conducive learning environment, and enhance academic performance among students across the community.

The youths made the demand in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of their quarterly empowerment and education intervention meeting in Bwari, Abuja, expressing concern over the facility’s deteriorating condition.

They said the neglect of the library had deprived students of a conducive environment for learning, research, and intellectual development, thereby affecting academic performance and access to quality educational resources.

According to them, a community library could go beyond formal education while promoting digital literacy if equipped with computers and internet access for modern learning needs.

They also emphasised that a functional facility would help young people acquire technical skills, access online learning platforms, and remain competitive in the global job market. (NAN)

Mr Gideon Akau-Shere, one of the youths, said the library would engage school children after school hours, weekends, and during holidays, helping to keep them productively occupied.

He said, “There is a structure on the ground, but it has been in bad condition for years; if you go there now, the building is occupied by some commercial motorcyclists who have turned it into their home. This is not right.”

Similarly, Esther Yakubu said providing a reading facility was essential for intellectual and social development, noting that rehabilitation of the library would bridge existing educational gaps.

She said: “Many households, especially those in rural parts of the community and densely populated areas, lack such resources or have limited access.

“If we have a functional and well-equipped library in the council, it will offer a reliable alternative for focused learning.”

The president of the youth forum, Mr John Awoyi, said a functional library would not only support education but also contribute to social stability in the community. (NAN)