By Philip Yatai

The Tanar Educational Consultancy in collaboration with SDGs Initiative, Nasta Foni and Wonder Woman Nigeria, on Saturday distributed books to children as part of efforts to promote literacy among children.

The books were distributed after a walk tagged, “Walk for Literacy” from Karji Junction along Patrick Yakowa Way to public Primary School Karji in Kaduna, sensitising residents on the importance of literacy.

Mr Namse Udosen, Founder, Tanar Educational Constancy, explained during the event that the distribution of the books and the walk was to commemorate the 2022 International Literacy Day.

Udosen said that this year’s celebration with the theme, “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces” would help inform people of the importance of literacy and learning spaces.

According to him, the event was organised to advocate for inclusive education for all and the need for communities to be more proactive in developing a literate community.

He called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to create a Literacy Development Plan with a view to improve the literacy rate, particularly among school children in the country.

“We distributed books because of their importance to literacy development by boosting intelligence and memory capacity, information, knowledge and inspiring people to follow their dream.

“Books also create questions; questions create curiosity; curiosity leads to research; research provides answers and answers lead to knowledge.

“As such, parents and relevant stakeholders should support ongoing efforts to transform literacy learning spaces for children to learn and bring their imagination to reality,” he said.

Earlier at the Palace of the Village Head of Karji, Mr Ibrahim Yusuf, Udosen urged community leaders to support in creating learning spaces for children.

He said that education starts from the home to community and then the school, stressing that family and community participation was critical to educational development of children.

“Households and community members should get involved in the educational development of all children so that they will grow and become good at whatever they choose to do.

“Just as parents, community leaders have a role to play in supporting the school system to create safe learning spacing for children to learn and grow to their full potential,” he said.

Responding, the Village Head commended the group for the efforts, saying it will go a long way in mobilising parents, caregivers, and community members to support educational growth and development of children.

He called on other organisations to support the noble course by helping communities in providing the needed learning spaces and materials for children to learn with ease.

Also, Ms Baboshiya James, Head Teacher, Local Education Authority Primary School, Karji, said that the books would fast track the learning abilities of most children.

A primary two pupil in the school, Japhet Friday said: “I never had a book before except the ones we use in school. This is the first time I have a book of my own that I can read at home.

“I am still struggling to read but I am sure with this book I will learn faster because I will be reading it at home.”

Another pupil, Christabel Danjuma expressed joy that she also got a book she would be reading at home, saying, “the book looks interesting, I look forward to reading it at home”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Literacy Day is being celebrated on Sept. 8 of every year to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.

The celebration also provides the opportunity to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. (NAN)