World Book Day is an annual event set aside by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for parents and older siblings, teachers, pupils and students to come together in appreciation of the world of literature and the life-long pleasure of reading. In an increasingly digital world, there is no better opportunity to get back to books. Every year, World Book Day falls on the first Thursday in March. This year, it was celebrated on Thursday, 7th March in over 100countries around the world.
This year’s theme is “Share A Story”, and every person is encouraged to participate by reading and sharing stories. In this light, the Society marked the event with students and teachers of Lafiaji Senior High School and Okesuna Senior High School in Lagos. The Society was able to execute this project through the support of Parresia Publication, Yewande Adebowale, Purple Shelves Limited, Kachifo Publication and Learn Africa Plc (formerly known as Longman Plc).
On this day, March 7, 2019, Lafiaji Junior High School celebrated the World Book Day which was geared towards the students showcasing their creativity in poem recitation, essay writing, drama, and inter-class debates. The Society partnered with Lafiaji Junior High School to host this special event. To commend the effort of students who took part in the ‘Share A Story’ competition, prizes were awarded to outstanding students whose works were worthy of recognition. The winner of the ‘Share A Story’ competition is Tofeek Aliyat in J.S.S 2 who was presented with ‘New Concept Mathematics for J.S.S 3’ and ‘English Language for J.S.S 3’; The Second runner up Olushoga Al‘amin in J.S.S 1 was presented with a literary novels titled ‘After the Flood’ by Wale Okediran and ‘Guardian of the Cosmos’ by Emeka Nwabueze; bagging the 3rd position is Mohammed Aminat in J.S.S 3. Aminat who was presented with ‘New Concept English for S.S.S 1’ and ‘Economic for Senior Secondary School 1’.
In addition, the Society presented copies of each book; ‘Season Crimson Blossoms’ by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim and ‘Makwala’ by E. E Sule to teachers of Lafiaji Junior High School. The principal was also presented with a copy of the book ‘Voices: A Collection of Poems’ by Yewande Adebowale and ‘Woes of Ikenga’ by Ndubuisi George.
In the same light, the Society also partnered with Okesuna Senior High School, Lagos Island to host the World Book Day celebration in their school on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The Society’s Programme Officer, Ms. Magdaline Oyoroh represented the Society at the event and delivered a speech on ‘The Importance Reading and the significance of Copyright’ which was primarily to brief the students on the need to be self-motivated and creative rather than engage in plagiarism.
She educated the students on the importance of acknowledging people whose works they have cited as it will go a long way in protecting ones intellectual property. She further implored the students to make effective use of the library, read across different piece of works as it will open their minds to new ideas as well as help them fill gaps left by others. Ms. Magdaline further advised the students on the implications of plagiarism and its effect on the Nigerian students and the society at large.
To highlight the event, the winner of the competition in Okesuna Senior High School, Titilayo Shobayo who shared her story titled ‘Better Days Ahead’, a story which summarised her journey through life was presented with ‘New Concept English Textbook for S.S.S 2’, ‘New Concept Mathematics Textbook for S.S.S.2’, a literature novel by Iheanyichukwu Duruoha ‘Eaters of Dust’, branded AIFA Mathematical set and a fancy highlighter pen. While copies of the books; ‘Eaters of Dust’ by Iheanyichukwu Duruoha and ‘Chimere’ by Ifeoma Okoye were presented to other students who participated in the competition along with branded exercise books. Copies of ‘Makwala’ by E. E. Sule was presented to the teachers, and the Principal received a copy of ‘Voices: A Collection of Poems’ by Yewande Adebowale and ‘OMO’ by Alexander Emmanuel.
The Society believes that this celebration of book and the joy they bring to their readers is about helping children and young adults discover books and creative writing, while highlighting and revelling the fact that books are still important in our 21st century.
The Principal of Okesuna Senior High School, Mrs. Ajikobi thanked the Society for its continuous effort in promoting a reading culture and the attainment of educational development in Nigeria. She added that reading should be a consistent habit as it improves ones knowledge and understanding. Mrs. Ajikobi also stressed the need for schools to establish reading clubs for students as this will develop their proficiency in the use of the English Language and Creative Writing skills.
