As a way of fulfilling its pledge to give out 40,000 books and customized book shelves to a vast number of schools in the country, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has given out its first set of books to a category of Nigerian Schools.
The President of Association of Nigerian Authors, Camillus Ukah, who made the promise during last year’s ANA Convention, has met the Batch A category of schools yesterday, February 25, 2022 at the Mamman Vasta Writers Village, Mpape, Abuja.
The Visionary leader, Ukah, who have been an ardent promoter of good reading and writing culture since the inception of the association, enlightened schools present about the concept of 'A Child-A Book-A Week' dream of changing the life of every youngster thereby making Nigeria greater and better.
Recall that as part of its activities to commemorate 40 years successive growth in Arts, literature and culture, the president of the largest writers body in Africa during its fortieth anniversary, unveiled customised book shelves which according to him will contain 1000 books each for 40 schools across the country as part of its contribution to national development.
In his words, "This is our way of encouraging the young ones to read at least 52 books in a year in order to become a star"
Schools under the Batch A are, Auchi Polytechnic Staff Secondary School; Police Public Relation School Kaduna; Sure Star Private Schools; Government Secondary School, Ilorin; Fugar Mixed Grammar School; Primegate International Academy; Sacred Heart College, Agenebode; Unique Secondary School Makurdi, Benue State; Our Lady of Fatima College Edo State; Girls' Secondary School Agbaja, Kogi State; Spring of Life International School Enugu; Model Girls Secondary School, Rivers State; Government College, Ibadan; Mayflower School Ikenne, Ogun State; and Alada Grammar School, Ozoro , Delta State. In addition, States Chairmen of Borno and Adamawa received on behalf of their states.
The event had in attendance, former ANA President, Mallam Denja Abdullahi as well as his predicessor, Dr. Wale Okediran, who is also the Secretary General of Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), Ghana; Honorary Fellow in Writing of the University of Lowa (USA), Dr. Obari Gomba; the Developer, Colonel Shaw; Chief Judge of children' literature and former Kaduna State Chairman, Elder John Asiedu Sarpog; National Executive Members, former States' Chairmen and other notable members.
The Association is however set to present more books and shelves to more schools.
By Blessing Etim