Foundation decries declining reading culture among pupils

Yeshua's Arm, a dedicated non-governmental organization, has sounded the alarm regarding a worrying trend: the diminishing reading culture among Nigerian children. In a statement released during the commissioning of a new library at St Theresa School in Epe, Lagos, the organization pointed fingers at the pervasive influence of social media and the scarcity of accessible books.

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It’s been really poor, and it’s getting worse because of social media. Everybody is just watching skits and spending time online.

Founder and CEO, Mrs. Kemi Williams, articulated the concern, noting that children are increasingly drawn to short-form video content and online activities, leaving little time for meaningful engagement with books. This decline, she explained, was the impetus behind Yeshua's Arm's initiative to establish libraries and expand mobile library services, aiming to foster literacy, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

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We’re very excited about it because altogether we’re reaching over 2,000 children, creating libraries for them, something they’ve not had in their schools before.

The newly commissioned library, a partnership with Dow Chemical Company, is set to benefit over 2,000 children. Williams highlighted that these libraries are designed not just as repositories of books but as vibrant spaces that encourage independent learning and cognitive development. The organization's commitment extends beyond the initial setup, with ongoing support and literacy staff working within schools to integrate reading into the curriculum.

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It’s an opportunity for them to develop their reading skills, their critical thinking skills. It’s good to learn to read, but you also read to learn.

Williams passionately asserted that Nigeria's true wealth lies not in its natural resources like oil, but in its people, particularly its children. She urged for increased investment in education and literacy, framing it as essential for national progress and for transforming the lives of every Nigerian child. This perspective underscores a deeply held belief within Nigeria that human capital is the ultimate driver of the nation's future success, a viewpoint that resonates strongly in discussions about development and progress.

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We believe in quality education for every child because we know it’s going to raise the bar for every child, every Nigerian child, and help our nation thrive.