Renaissance Africa introduces community reading programme in Lagos

In a bid to fulfil one of her mandates to engender the resurgence of African arts and literature, Renaissance Africa held her maiden edition of ‘Community Reading Programme’ for children which aims to improve the reading culture among children of school age, last weekend. The event, held at the Baale of Keke-Agege’s residence, had in attendance scores of children.

Speaking at the programme, the celebrity guest, Dupe Noma, who read to the children, two books that had impacted her life said, ‘I am actually very impressed by this kind of initiative which aims to improve reading culture. Most of our kids only read when they have exams or when their teachers make them read or put them to test”.

She noted that the children were in high spirits during the event, ‘An event like this is highly appreciated, you can see the children are all happy, they like it because they are all in their homes and were called out to join in reading with their colleagues in the community.

She charged government to encourage young stars like Mr. Abayomi Oyelami for coming out with initiatives like this that enhances reading culture; by doing that she believes failure in schools and examinations would reduce.

The two books that were read to the children were Eddie Iroh’s ‘Without A Silver Spoon’ and Abayomi Oyelami’s ‘Finding Purpose for Kids’.

One of the children, Aliu Ifeoluwa said that the programme is very educating and impactful. “We have learnt about our purpose, our talents, what God gave us, how to know more and develop our talents and that we should not only read for exams.’

Owalaye Khairat stated, ‘The programme is very interesting and I gained a lot. I now know that there is a reason why God created us, and I believe everybody is called for a purpose.’

The Baale of Keke-Agege, High Chief Liadi Idowu Ajagunna advised children to lay emphasis on their education, saying that  ‘my advice for our children and youths is that they listen to what they are teaching them, and they should be calm to receive requisite learning, for those who fail to do that will suffer the consequences in the future. May God help them and keep them, and those of you impacting on them, God will be with you.’

The convener of the programme, Mr. Abayomi Oyelami stated that Community Reading Program is focused on the community so that children will not see reading as just a thing to be done within the school walls or a thing to be done because I don’t want to fail.’

He explicated that the aim of the programme is for them to have a hunger for reading as it is critical to building a well-rounded life and career, hence charging them to shun every form of ignorance as it is commonly touted that blacks don’t read. He quipped, ‘If you play with ignorance, you will pay with your life.’

He called out for sponsorship from spirited individuals, corporate organizations and government agencies.