The restoration of reading culture, especially among students and pupils, has been identified as the panacea to stemming the trend of falling educational standards.
This was the position of the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, David Irimagha, during an event to celebrate the first “World Book Day” in the LGA with the theme, “Share A Story”.
World Book Day, a one day annual festival marked globally on April 23, is a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and reading around the world. Established by United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The 2019 edition, which was the 24th, was celebrated in over 100 countries around the globe.
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It is meant to be the perfect opportunity for parents, teachers and children to congregate in appreciation of the world of literature and the life-long pleasure of reading.
He was called for the re-invigoration and promotion of reading culture among school age children, reiterating that his administration was poised on entrenching a better educational platform for students and pupils in the area by expanding opportunities for academic advancement.
Irimagha, who was represented by his Vice, Anengi Barasua, at the event which held at Boyle Memorial School, Bonny, also affirmed that the “the whole essence of education is in books”.
In her address, facilitator of the event, Christaben Hart gave a chronological history of “World Book Day”, noting that “books are tools to inspire, inculcate and expose children to benefits of education”.
Hart, who is also the Supervisor of Education in the local government, admonished parents and guardians to “give a child a book instead of a phone,” stressing that “reading habits should be promoted and encouraged in schools and homes”.
She further expressed dismay at the declining rate of reading culture amongst youths who now feast on social media for negative purposes and delight in social vices, while appreciating parents and teachers for their relentless effort in guiding the children to the right path.
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Resource persons at the event, Adata Bristol and Faith Babs x-rayed the “Importance of Reading A Book”, highlighting phrases such as “Buy books and not bullets (any destructive tool)”, “Buy Books not always biscuits”, “A Book a day keeps ignorance away”, “A Book a day brings new ideas all the way”, “A child that reads today will be an adult that will teach tomorrow”, among others.
In her speech on behalf of teachers in Bonny LGA, the Head Teacher of Government Primary School, Bonny, Alice Allison appreciated the Chairman, Bonny LGA, David Irimagha, his Vice, Anengi Barasua, and the Supervisor for Education for celebrating World Book Day in Bonny for the first time.
She described the event as an avenue to enlighten the students and broaden their horizon, commending the initiative and prayed that it continues annually.
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Highlight of the vent was a dramatic narration of William Shakespeare’s “Othello” by Miss Stella Hart of Community Secondary School, Burukiri, and a presentation of books to the students by the Vice Chairman, Bonny LGA, Anengi Barasua, on behalf of her boss.
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