Frank Efe
As part of efforts to inculcate reading culture into the Nigerian child, an American Organization, Books For Africa, in conjunction with Chinkelly Group of Schools have donated hundreds of free books to Okugbe Primary School, Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Distributing the free books, today at Okugbe Primary School, Ekpan, the proprietress of Chinkelly Group of Schools, Dr. (Mrs.) Veronica Ogbuagu stressed that it was not surprising to read that 10 million Nigerian children within school age were out of school, just as she blamed the trend on government, parents, teachers, child and the hostile environment.
The former Delta State Education Commissioner, She said; “It is not shocking news to read that 10 million Nigerian children within school age are out of school. Who is to blame? Everybody I guess -The government, parents, teachers, the child and the hostile society. 50% of the blame goes to government neglect and lack of adequate funding of the sector. 20% goes to the parents, who have neglected their roles in training and supporting their children, 20% of the blame goes to many incompetent teachers in our primary and secondary schools which is as a result of decline in the quality of teachers training.”
She noted that over the years, Ekpan community had been portrayed as a violent community, but that with the distribution of the books to the pupils, she believed that the songs of gun-shots will gradually give way to academic and sporting activities.
She added that; “In whatever direction we look, we find that education is a powerful means of social progress. Anyone working with it is working with probably the most powerful instrument man has devised for his own improvement. Unfortunately, Nigerian education system has suffered a great set back over these years.”
She also emphasized that “student’s inability to read textbooks, lack of commitment to study, lack of motivation, economic and family problem, poor self-concept and low aspiration for educational achievement” as some of the factors critically related to the increasing incidence of under-achievement in primary and secondary schools.
Mrs. Ogbuagu, however, lamented that most adolescent, especially in the Niger Delta Area, had fancied the gains of becoming militants and kidnappers than struggling to go to school, saying that if militants could be paid huge sums of money through amnesty and if kidnappers could make millions of naira on release of their victims, they see no reason to go to school and become unemployed graduates.
She said; “Nigerian educational psychologists need to attend to these issues through sensitive research, adequate consultation in the schools channeled through the ministries and effective guidance and counseling services. We must work hard to revamp our education sector. Education sets people free from the bondage of ignorance, makes them useful to themselves, families and the communities, it also increases their chance of breaking out of the poverty cycle.
“To our dear pupils, please make the best of every opportunity that comes your way. As you can see we have cartons of books to donate free to you, courtesy, Books For Africa and Chinkelly Schools. All we are requesting from you is to learn to read fluently and intelligently. Once a habit of reading has been formed, a child exudes confidence in everything else and can read anywhere. Readers are leaders.” She advised the children
Dr. Ogbuagu also advised parents to always read to their children, take them to bookstores and library and limit the amount of television their children watch.
She called on the teachers to bear in mind that the most important thing that teachers can do for pupils is to teach them how to read, write, speak, compute, think and create through consistent and rigorous teaching.
In his speech, the Unuevworo of Ekpan, Colonel Mike Tori, thanked Dr. Ogbuagu and the Ekpan Development Committee (EDC) for donating the books to the pupils, saying the gesture will go a long way in making the children concentrate their minds in reading books.
He urged the pupils to always read their books and that it was only through reading that they will become great men and women in the future.
Speaking to journalists, the Assistant Secretary of Ekpan Development Committee, Mrs. Gladys Enawore, said the committee decided to approach Dr. Ogbuago when they heard that she was distributing free books to other schools, noting that they want to teach the children to be responsible individuals in the community through the habit of reading.
Mrs. Enawore who is also in charge of the Education and Sports unit of EDC, said they are very glad that they were able to facilitate the donation of the books to the children.
The Headmistress of Okugbe Primary School, School II, Mrs. Victoria Ebireri, who was elated by the donation of the books, pleaded with parents to support the efforts of the teachers by teaching their children at home.
Also speaking to our correspondent, the Chairman of Ekpan Development Committee, Mr. Godwin T. Onasibro thanked Dr. Ogbuagu and Books for Africa for donating the free books to the pupils.
He said he was very happy for them to have somebody like Dr. Ogbuagu as their daughter, adding that the community have benefitted immensely from her activities and prayed to God to continue to bless her so that she will be able to do more for the community.
