UBA rekindles reading culture with “Read Africa” project

Concerned by the dwindling reading habits amongyouths in Africa especially in secondary schools, United Bank forAfrica (UBA) plc, the pan African banking group has introduced the“Read Africa Project”, an initiative to rekindle reading culture amongAfrican students in post primary institutions.

The Read Africa Project is packaged by UBA Foundation, the corporatesocial responsibility arm of the bank, as part of its interventions inpromoting education, learning and development.The project, “Read Africa”, initiative will involve the provision of ecommended English Language and English literature text books for students in some junior and senior secondary schools across Africa.

Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, Executive Director, Resources UBA Plc said that the Read Africa project is formulated to encourage learning through reading. “A lot of young people these days are more comfortable with digital devices than reading and this is manifesting in the quality of education.

UBA recognizes the need to improve learning, imagination and knowledge through reading and this initiative is one of our areas of intervention in the sector” he said. Mr. Uzoka said that the exercise which began early in December 2010 will run till the end of first quarter, 2011. UBA Executives shall visit selected schools (public and private) across Africa and donate recommended English Language and Literature text books, mentor the students and conduct reading sessions.

“UBA Executives and volunteers drawn from various sectors of human endeavour across Africa will go to assigned schools to make formal  presentation of the books to the schools, have a “meet and greet” withthe children, talk about their role in the bank, inspire, motivate the children and lead the reading sessions” Uzoka said, when highlighting the modalities the initiative will take to ensure effectiveness.