By DAYO ADESULU

Last Tuesday, people of like  minds in both academic and private  sectors stormed  Ijebu-Imushin in Ogun State and established community libraries to revamp the dwindling reading culture  of its children.
The occasion was the seventh anniversary of City Profs Academy (CPA) and inauguration of Community Library Initiative (CLI), Ijebu Imushin Community e-library with the theme: Community Library in Nigeria: a vote for reading culture!

The brains behind the laudable project are Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, Prof. Alele Wiliilams, Dr. Ernest Shonekan, Mrs. Remi Agbowu, Mrs. Essie Kukoyi-the founder of CPA and other committed staff members of the organisation.

That informed the reason for the presence of Oba Oloko of Ijebu-Imushin, Oba Stephen Adedeji, Chairman, Governing Board, Prof. Alele Wiliams, Chairman, City Profs. Academy-Community Library Initiative, Chief (Mrs.) Remi Agbowu, chairman of the occasion, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo was represented by Dr. Ernest Shonekan.

Others are Dr. Michael Omolayole, Gen Timothy Ogundeko, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun was represented by  Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Segun Odubela,  Gov. Babatunde  Fashola was represented by  Otunba Fatai Olukoga,  Sen. Oluremi Tinubu. represented by Remi Osilaja, Dame Emmanuella Fashola, represented by Mrs. Mosunmola Junaid, traditional rulers and stakeholders.

Speaking at the occasion, former governor of Lagos State, Brig. General Mobolaji Johnson said education is the bedrock of any nation adding: “This is what helped us while growing up.” Mobolaji who charged students to make use of the library pointed out that  to establish such a magnificent library is commendable.
For Professor Alele Williams,  students cannot excel if they cannot find a conducive environment to learn.

According to her, the idea of library initiative was introduced 15 years ago, where pupils are encouraged to read for two hours everyday.
She said,“This is a community library where we can encourage our children to read so that the community can be like Victoria Island, Lekki and big cities.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan who said government alone cannot provide for the citizens’ needs noted that involvement of non-governmental organisations and individuals cannot be over emphasised.

According to him, e-libraries were built in developed countries by NGOs and wealthy individuals, stressing that  similar things should be done to develop Nigeria.
The gesture, he said, would improve learning and make them better students, adding that the e-library would help to raise the standard of education. Dr. Shonekan said the impact of books on child development cannot be over-emphasised because books are next to the teacher.

In his welcome address, the Oloko of Ijebu Imushin, Oba Stephen Onafowokan said the reading culture in children today has been eroded by the keen interest they have developed in the misuse of modern communication gadgets like phones, internet and videos.

The resultant effect, he noted, is the geometric decline in academic performances, noting the absence of modern libraries in most primary and secondary schools stocked with relevant materials.
The Ogun State Government has said that individual, groups or private organisations willing to become its partners in improving the standard of education in the state would be adequately encouraged.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela, stated this in a keynote address he presented at the grand finale of Mace Club 5th Annual Inter-school Essay/Debate quiz competitions amongst secondary schools in the state held at Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta.

According to the Commissioner who was represented by his Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Amballu Ishola, the education sector is a big industry that requires efforts of public spirited individuals and groups to complement government funding.

The Commissioner said the provision of free and qualitative education by the present administration in the state was born out of the belief that once education is provided, every other societal goal will be achieved.
Besides, former Managing Director of Unilever, Dr. Michael Omolayole said what was being commissioned today was for our children’s children and generations to come.

The effort of CPA, according to him, was like a movement that will move up to other states in Nigeria. It is like a mustard seed that is germinating.
”I remember the emphasis of my address three years ago was the need to promote community libraries in Nigeria. Some references were made to the development of community libraries in developed countries such as the UK and US.

If the system helps citizens in those countries to acquire better knowledge and better education even when their education systems are very efficient, effective and well-funded, one can imagine how important the impact of community libraries in developing countries with deficient educational system will be.

“However, the fact that a large number of population of any country can be made, through education, to read and write, does not mean that most citizens are hooked on reading. So I regard this as a unique achievement in bringing together like-minded progressive elements interested in social and economic development of the country.

“Though ability to read and write depends on intellectual endowment, Omolayole stressed that access to book through libraries is the ready avenue for encouraging the cultivation and the spread of reading culture. Books, clubs, literary and reading societies, competitions, book exhibitions and fairs have their part to play. He said nobody can develop the “fullness of life” that has not discovered the joy of reading for pleasure.”

True education, he noted, is coterminous with life. It is not for nothing that great minds believe in and operate on the basis that we learn everyday.
“Starting from the corner in Ogun State, we must endeavor to catch the children young; the use of library should be part of the school curriculum from grade four to SSS3.