The Flickers of Hope Foundation, an NGO, has unveiled a community library aimed at boosting reading culture among students.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs Omolara Adedeji, during the commissioning of the library, in Bwari on Saturday, said that the intervention would bridge education and learning gap through access to good books.
Adedeji said that the library was timely as it would provide access to academic textbooks for students in the community, thereby reviving reading culture as well as increase literacy.
She explained that the library structure currently served persons from age nine and above, while pledging to introduce online library in the near future that would provide electronic books for readers.
“Education is a tool and platform for tomorrow and this library stands as a beacon of knowledge, a hub of learning and a centre for connection within our community.
“The library is important so as to increase literacy in our community and we ensure the community takes over the library. The books here are donated by members of the community.
“Currently, we have 937 books in the library ranging from academic books such as textbooks, inspirational books on business and management, advanced and tertiary level books and others.
“We charge a monthly access fee of N200 for age nine to 19 and N1,000 for age 20 and above,” she said.
Adedeji said the fees was introduced so that the users would be serious and as well value the importance of education.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Bwari Area Council, Isuwa Tanko, commended the initiative offered by the foundation, while pledging to key into the drive in increasing literacy among students.
Tanko, represented by the Head Teacher, Model School, Bwari, Mr Yunusa Abdullahi, said efforts were on to identify children who were out-of-school and bring them back to the learning environment.
He said the community library would serve as a first contact point where such children, who were out of school could learn.
“The project of education cannot be carried out only by government because it is a mighty project.
“Efforts by NGO through the provision of an initiative, such as this will help the society and government to succeed,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation also hosted the second edition of the Inter-school Quiz competition among students in the community. (NAN)