• As 10-year-old girl launches book
Educationists have called on the Federal Government to make reading clubs in primary and secondary schools a matter of public policy to engender national development and unleash latent talents in young Nigerians.
The educational and child protection experts stated this in an event in Ibadan. They include a university don, Dr. Wole Ogunsheyinde, Oyo State Chairperson of Child Protection Network (CPN), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe and Mrs Bola Aanu Asiri, who is the proprietress of Ronk New Age School, Akobo, Ibadan, among others.
The experts made the call during the presentation of a book written by a 10-year-old student of Ronk New Age School, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Chiamalite Heritage Onuoha, titled, ‘The Wise Son’.
Ogunsheyinde said if reading club is made part of the national policy, the country would experience development.
He pointed out that countries that have attained development benefited from prioritising reading.
He said: ‘’I am encouraged with the way she wrote the book and more excited because of her age. The book talks about contemporary problems in our society and schools.
“Do you know what motivated this girl to write this book? She was made the library assistant. That encouraged her to read more. Then the Oyo State government organised a book club, which she attended. People who were there motivated them not only to read, but also to write.
Ogedengbe, toed the same line. She said: “I was excited when I learnt about the book. I am 50. I wrote my first book when I clocked 50 few weeks ago. I was really inspired and encouraged that truly we have a future that is glorious.
‘’She served as assistant library prefect. That says a lot. There is a place of nature; there is a place of nurture. When you nurture these children appropriately by giving them the right environment, they will excel. We should have all these all over the nation.”
Proprietress of Ronk New Age School, Mrs Bola Aanu Asiri, expressed her delight over the feat of the girl.
The kid writer, Onuoha said her aim is to write a book that would benefit humanity, while her parents, Rev. Obialo and Mrs. Chinyere Onuoha said they were elated and excited on the step taken by their daughter.