By Ediri Ejoh & William Jimoh

The Alumni Association of the International School Ibadan, ISI, has decried the erosion reading culture among Nigerians, describing it as one of the general maladies that has crept into the nation’s education sector.

Speaking during a media parley in preparation for the school’s 50th anniversary this year, president of the association, Mr. Tive Ekpere, who stated this noted that there is a need for all concerned authorities to amplify efforts in making Nigerians and most importantly, its youths to realise the crucial importance of cultivating a good reading habit.

“It is something we must not relent on, because achieving knowledge and improving a child’s creativity as well as widening their understanding depend greatly on how they are brought up, thus the need for us not to neglect reading, for whatsoever reason.”

Expressing the intention of the association to renew some lost glory of the school, Ekpere noted that the 50th anniversary of the school will be marked with the homecoming of former students and teachers now resident in different parts of the world, adding that they have complete plans to raise an Infrastructure Trust Fund of N1 billion for the school.

“This is the first time the association is having a grand reunion of this type on the school grounds and it will be one to remember for a long time to come because the anniversary means a lot to every one of us. The school has given us a lot, which has brought us thus far, the event, is therefore one we had looked forward to, as it will afford us the opportunity to give back to the school and humanity.

The theme of the anniversary is “Bring back the glory” for ISI happens to be one of the top schools in country, with a rich culture of academic excellence, diverse nationalities and a set of unique social and extra-curricular activities. However, like every other institution in Nigeria, some of those outstanding attributes have been eroded. The alumni movement therefore has resolved to assist the school return to its position as one of the best schools for academic excellence in Nigeria,” said Dr. Jaiye Doherty, chairman, Board of Trustees.