By Eric Moore
THE Olympus Marino Deck, of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), has admonished students to develop consistent reading habit to expand their knowledge.
NAS gave the advice when it, in partnership with the Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), donated books to Community Secondary School, Mgbuoshimini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The association also launched a project titled “Reviving the Reading Culture in Secondary Schools in Rivers State”, at the school, thereby encouraging the students to imbibe in consistent reading habits.
In his address, Capoon, Olympus Marino Deck, Nnamdi Ilochi, said the programme was in line with their commitment to educational advancement and social development.
He said the initiative seeks to address the noticeable decline in reading habits among students by creating practical and sustainable platforms that promote literacy, foster critical thinking and enhance academic performance.
Ilochi said: “We believe that reading is not merely a skill; it is a pathway to knowledge, empowerment and civic responsibility.
“This aim as an organisation to reignite and institutionalize a strong reading culture among secondary school students through structured literary activities and increased access to reading materials.”
Ilochi expressed that the initiative will also enhance academic performance and critical thinking by encouraging daily reading habits and exposure to diverse genres of literature.
“It will strengthen school community partnerships by involving teachers, parents, volunteers, and civil society in building a robust ecosystem for literacy and learning”.
Noting the challenges facing educational system require collective action, Ilochi said, “Through this partnership, we aim not only to provide books and resources, but to also inspire a cultural shift, one that sees reading as essential to personal growth and national development.
“This project is a call to action to educators, parents, institutions, and leaders at all levels, to invest in the intellectual future of our children. A nation that reads is a nation that leads.’
Chairman, NLA, Rivers State chapter, Nyemezu Chidaka, said they decided to partner with the Seadogs in the project because of how important the project is in the lives of the young people in the society, especially students of CSS Mgbuoshimini.
He noted: “One of the things that will improve the reading habits of the students is having an equiped library in the school. It is only when library is in existence that children will have love for books. Not just in their schools, they are supposed to have library in their various homes.”
Earlier in his remarks, Emery Okwakpam, Chairman of the advocacy committee of Olympus Marino Deck, said, “We identified that there has been reading culture decline, especially in Rivers State. So, we, as a team, decided to carry out the advocacy effort, to revive the reading culture in secondary schools in the State.
“If we succeed in inspiring few people here to imbibe the culture of reading, we are sure that through reading they can make the most out of their future. We have confidence that what we are doing today, will have direct impact in the lives of the students.”
Okwakpam also disclosed that NAS inaugurated first ever Book Club in the community school, saying that “The aim is to have book champions, people who would takeover this effort today from us, and see how it can be sustained over a period. They will inspire their peers to also imbibe reading culture.”