The former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State and the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) and founder, Kith and Kin Educational College, Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, has enjoined parents to help their children in their reading skills in order to make them good leader in future, since according to him, “readers are leaders.”
Asipa Olusanya, who was speaking during the celebration of the World Book Day and the first of its kind in his college at Ikorodu on March 2, 2016, stated that it has become a worrisome trend that the reading culture of students in Nigeria is very low. According to him, the students are not at fault but rather, the blame should be on their parents.
In his view, most of the parents expose their children to television, games and many other influences instead of making them spend valuable time on reading newspapers, novels and good educational broadcasting programmes.
In his words: “This celebration deserves more publicity in the world, especially in our country. I am not saying that creativity should not be celebrated. But event like project fame, Nigerian idol and the likes dwell more on entertainment and books are not given much attention. But with books, we can travel around the world even without being there physically,” he stated.
In his presentation on the “Importance of reading,” Mr. Babatunde Ayodeji Iginla explained the correlation between reading and academic success: “When one is reading, it is possible to come across words you do not know their meaning but because you are reading, you can conceptualize the meaning of that word and later go to the dictionary to confirm what you have conceptualized.”
He also is of the view that “it one wants to be successful in school and life, he or she must be a reader of both fiction, academic books and non-fiction.” For him,” you are a good reader when you begin to read all manners of books regardless of the ones written in English language.
“You should read Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo books in order to develop a reading competence, which is essential for academic achievements,” he stated. According to him, the theme for the day was,“Celebration of reading.”
The book review session was anchored by the Channels Television presenter of the progamme, “Readers’ Club,” Mr. Kunle Kasumu, who commended the efforts of the school founder and everyone, who contributed to the programme, observing that it was a good innovation and that it would go a long way in motivating the students to read always.
Among the books reviewed were, ‘The Last Days at Forcados High School’, ‘A Costly Mistake, ‘Faceless,’ ‘Without a Silver Spoon’, ‘The Joys of Motherhood,’ and ‘Essence of Life.’
‘The Joys of Motherhood was reviewed by a senior medical officer at General Hospital, Ikorodu, Dr. (Mrs) Ogunjemiyo. It was a book that brought out emotional tears from her eyes at the end of the review. It pictured the agony of motherhood.
The reviewer, in her summary, said, “The book is like a paradox and it was when I finished reading it that I realized or understood what the Author really meant: “that mothers go through a lot in the race of life, suffered a lot to bear children and in the end, died carelessly without being catered for by her children.”
She, therefore, implored the students to be good readers of books as it avails them the opportunity to become great in life.
The book, “Essence of life,” authored by the daughter of the Founder, Kith and Kin Educational College, Mrs. Adebukola Olusanya Alamu, unleashed creative ways of reviewing by the two students, who presented it during the review session. Uba and Onyinye did a dramatic-dialogue in order to reveal the lessons of the book they have reviewed.
One of the students, Onyinye said, “I love the book because it is not like a regular novel but it is peculiar to everything that happens to us in life.” In Uba’s words: “It is a book that pictures the happenings in our daily life. I enjoyed reading the book and it has taught me what I should do when I become a man. I want everyone to read the book, he noted.
While expressing happiness at the review of the book by the students, the author said this: “I started writing since my secondary school days and it has been in me. I published my first book during my under graduate days and I remember that I was in one hundred level then.
“This book “Essence of life,” came into being during a discussion with my friends in school. I got inspired with the questions and answers and I thought that we can’t just keep the valuable messages derived from the discussions to ourselves. It has to be shared and that was why I wrote the book. Therefore, the book is not meant for specific age group but for everybody,” he stated.
Before the review session ended, the students were asked to print out the lessons they derived from each of the books reviewed and also read out a short piece from reviewed books.
The Channels T.V. presenter, Mr. Kunle Kasumu, gave his remarks at the end of the review in this way: “You guys have really done well and I am impressed at your smartness. I will implore you all to take reading with passion. When you read, you are informed and you will be exposed to many things that will broaden you horizon. I have read books about London before I even travelled to London. That means I have been to London before I actually travelled to London courtesy of the power in reading books.”
The chairman of Kith and Kin International College Library Automation Committee, Mr. Asha Akintayo, delivered a motivational Speech in consonance with the opinion of Mr. Kunle Kasumu: “You students have really done well and I believe this is just your starting point.
You never can tell; you can find yourself on CNN tomorrow. Keep up the good work. I was born a stammerer, who cannot read well at all. I got home one day from school with the full force to read.
“I took a book and started reading it. Ordinarily, I would not have read to the end but I found myself reading to the last page. I continued to make efforts until I began to read fluently, speak and write well; unknown to me that I would give birth to a child that would be unable to talk or read. But I must confess to you today that with proper training, the child was able to overcome it. And because I once faced the challenge, I had to work seriously on the child,” he noted.
Speaking further, he said: “Although, e-book was a nice innovation that has come to stay, but the traditional hard copy has a great deal of benefits because is traceable. My father read a book in the 1940’s and I had the privileged to read the book again. You can always see printed reference.
“So, I will implore you to embrace the two. I go with my I-pad and read books on it,” he added.
Another interesting session of the event was the poetry and Ewi rendition, which the students performed to the delights of the guests. Adekoya Funto, an SSI Students presented a poem titled “Readers”, Odokuwa Evengeline presented a poem titled, “Remember”. Other students, who also presented theirs were, Adepoju Samuel, Ibukun Adeola and a student from Christ Ville College, Ogijo. Adebanjo Tiwalade reviewed a book titled, “Kurekure” by Dele Taiwo and presented the lessons from the book.
The Chairman, Board of Governor, KKES, Pastor Nelson Ayodele, presented awards and certificates to dignitaries, who graced the occasion. The Permanent Secretary, Tutor-General, (Education District II), Mrs. Margaret Titilayo Solarin, represented by an officer from the education ministry, Mrs. Olarenwaju, collected the award on her behalf.
The Provost, Federal College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos, Dr. (Mrs.) Makiluwa M.O. was awarded; Channels Television presenter, director, “Readers’ Club” Mr. Kunle Kasumu, was also given award. Another person given award was the Senior Medical Officer I, General Hospital, Ikorodu, Dr. (Mrs.) E.M Ogunjemiyo; Pastor Nelson also presented a book to Dr. (Mrs.) Ogunjemiyo titled “Tribute to Mum” in recognition of her laudable contribution.
In his words, “I am of the same opinion with Kunle Kasumu that he has gotten to all the countries he visited through books before he actually travelled to those countries. I am proud to say that I read all those books about different countries before I got there. Reading makes it so easy,” he stated.
The closing remark was delivered by Mr. Babatunde Ayodele Iginla, who expressed his gratitude to the guests present at the event thus: “I believe everything that has been done since the beginning of this programme is enjoyable. I hope my part in giving the closing remark will make it fulfilling.”
“I want to appreciate everybody, beginning from the students, who have participated in the reviews and poem recitation. To our distinguished guests, whose contributions are immeasurable, I thank you all and may we all return safely to our various destination,” he said.
However, the founder of KKEC, Chief Kaoli Olusanya, led the guests and students to the Art Exhibition area that was being set aside for different display of art works. Some were designed by students and some by teachers and Nigerian artists.
The head of Arts and Industrial Design department, Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr. Abidemi Lawal, did the open declaration while the chairman KKIC Library Automation Committee, Mr. Asha Akintayo did the introduction of the gallery tour. Mr. Ologbon Okeowo with Mrs. Ronke Scott, did the gallery tour, explaining the designs and what they communicate to students and guests.
Mr. Asha Akintayo also promised to donate more books to the school library and at least ten schools in Ikorodu. The closing prayer was conducted by the Chief Imam of the School, Mr. Oladele.