Reading time: 4 Minutes
…Pledges Support for Literacy Programs
… celebrates Soyinka, Oba Matemilola
Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has reiterated the state government’s commitment towards ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education by promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Mrs. Abiodun, made this known while speaking at the 2024 Children Summer Reading Camp organized by the SixthSense Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting children’s reading culture and human development capacity.
Mrs. Abiodun expressed commitment towards ensuring that SDG goal 4 is achieved in the state by ensuring all learners acquire knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thrive in the society through quality education and reading.
She stressed the need for improved reading culture, noting that it serves as an avenue to boost vocabularies and improve literacy skills among the younger ones.
In her words: “reading is an important element societal development, as history is documented and transcends to reading and writing”.
“As children, you need to imbibe and build a culture of reading to increase your knowledge and chart the course towards a brighter future”, she added.
The event which was a two – in – one event to celebrate the 90th birthday of Nobel Laurette, Professor Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday and the 60th birthday of Olowu of Owu kingdom, Oba (Prof) Saka Adelola Matemilola was held at Baptist Girl’s College, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Thursday.
In his remarks, Prof. Wole Soyinka, represented at the epoch making event by his son and Former Ogun State Commissioner, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, advocated for qualitative reading culture from childhood as it plays a crucial role in shaping and ensuring a better and secured future.
“I urge you children to Imbibe and explore qualitative reading culture from childhood, for it plays a crucial role in shaping and ensuring a better and secured future.”
“Reading is the foundation upon which the edifice of knowledge is built; let us nurture and sustain it in our children”, he said.
On his part, Oba Matemilola praised the SixthSense Initiative’s dedication towards reviving reading culture among young people.
He however charged the children to practice good reading culture and exhibit their learnings beyond the camp.
“I charge you all, dear children, to practice good and effective reading culture and exhibit all that you have learned beyond this reading camp.”
“The dying reading culture among our younger ones must be sustained and revived; I commend SixthSense Initiative for their remarkable dedication to this cause”, Oba Matemilola noted.
The Convener and Founder of SixthSense Initiative, Abiodun Lasile, commended Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and other supporters of the initiative.
He lauded the wife of the governor for her readiness towards propagating reading culture among the children.
Lasile, however called on the Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to partner with the SixthSense Initiative to keep the program alive and for wiser coverage for the benefit of Children in the state.
“I commend Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, for her unwavering support and commitment to propagating reading culture among children.”
“We are grateful for the partnership and support of the Ogun State Government, and we look forward to expanding our reach and impact through this collaboration.”
“Reading is the key to unlocking the full potential of our children, and we must continue to nurture and sustain this culture for future generations.”
“I urge all stakeholders to join hands with us in this noble endeavor, as we strive to create a society of lifelong learners and readers.”
“At The SixthSense Initiative, we are dedicated to reviving and sustaining reading culture among young people, and we will continue to work tirelessly towards this goal”, Lasile added.
Meanwhile, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, alongside other dignitaries at the event also applauded the 10-year-old youngest visual artist in Nigeria, Joshua Morenikeji for his outstanding creative performance as displayed at the event.
The event was attended by a vibrant gathering featuring campers, ambassadors, and esteemed guests, including Otunba Dr Adebola Ismail Akindele, wives of key Ogun State government officials, including the Speaker, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, and many more.
