ZODML strengthens reading culture for Lagos students

As part of its drive to promote the culture of reading among students in Lagos State, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML), a non-profit organisation has donated and commissioned libraries 5 libraries to selected Lagos Schools.

The schools that benefited from the Oasis Libraries are Christ Church Primary School, Odunfa, Ebute Meta, Salvation Army Primary School, Okobaba, Ebute Meta, Akoka Primary School, Akoka, LMLG School Complex, Fadeyi and Kadara Primary School, Kadara Ebute Meta, Lagos.

Ego Mbagwu, Chief Executive Officer ZODML while speaking at the commissioning disclosed that the libraries are meant to serve seven schools in the mainland, adding that ZODML is making its first journey into Lagos Mainland.

According to her, “The success recorded in these libraries made us bring the libraries to the Mainland. We hope that with your cooperation we would be able to make a success of the library. It is not enough to put a library in a place and the books would gather dust. We hope that you would make the children read.”

Adebisi Adetona, Education Secretary Lagos Mainland LGEA, commended the organisation for the seed of the libraries, according to her “You may not know the gravity of what you are doing but as the years go by, when leaders emerge; these children will think of you and appreciate you.

“Head teachers note that the books are to be put to adequate use. Encourage the pupils to read there, do not lock books up. Let us see ensure that the culture of reading being implanted in our pupils.”

Assuring ZODML that the libraries would be equitably used, Chairman SUBEB, Ganiyu Sopeyin, said; “I implore parents to buy story books for their children so they do not just read in school but they continue at home. We have monitoring officers going round to monitor the libraries and I am sure ZODML will not regret giving the children these libraries.”

Ifeoma Esiri, Chairman Board of Trustees, ZODML, said she was impressed that the schools have already established monitoring teams to monitor the libraries.

According to her, “The most important thing for us is the impact on the students. I promise that every year we would try to establish five or six libraries. If you are true to the monitoring and we see the impact, you will be our first choice for additional libraries, as we are looking for partnerships that would help the organisation’s mission work.”