Bauchi education commissioner hints creation of compulsory free lesson in schools

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By Ude Ogbonnaya Israel, Bauchi

As part of moves to promote reading culture in Bauchi State and Nigeria at large, the state Commissioner of Education, Honourable Jamila Dahiru said compulsory free lesson period for reading in schools will be created.

The Commissioner made the remarks Thursday at the General Hassan Usman Katsina Unity College, Yelwa, Bauchi while declaring open the 2023 Readership Promotion Campaign for schools organised by the State branch of the National Library of Nigeria.

Represented by the Director Quality Assurance, Mrs Wulne Fitto Buba, the Commissioner said everyone during the period is meant to be in the school library and to be guided by their teachers.

According to her, reading is a none negotiable tool in the life of any student that is aiming academic excellence at every level, hence the need to be intentional about inculcating the attitude of reading in the lives of students starting at lower level.

In his keynote speech, the National Librarian represented by Yue Ada Augustine who highlighted the place of reading in Nigeria insisted that no fewer than 20 Million Nigerians are described as illiterates in Nigeria.

He said the National Library of Nigeria thought it wise that one of the key ways of eradicating illiteracy in Nigeria is by initiating an annual readership promotion campaign across schools all over the federation.

He explained that the 2023 readership promotion campaign is tagged “Read your way to the Top” to drive home the notion that there is no better way for anyone to attain enviable height in the society apart from reading.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Director National Library of Nigeria Bauchi State branch Mr. Wua Vincent T. said the promotion campaign for this year is slated in Yelwa community in Bauchi L. G. A as they have done in two other different ones previous years.

He added that a literacy reading centre is usually established in any community they visited to encourage reading in the community.

He challenged schools to make it a duty to have a library in their schools as a legal requirement for existence adding that the National library is available to assist any school to establish one once they apply.

Our correspondent reports that about seven schools participanted in the reading competition, but Intisharul Islam Secondary School emerged overall winner and presented with many book resources.

The first and second runner up also received gifts and other participating schools were given consolidation prizes.