As the nation commemorates the Day of the African Child, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu celebrates every Nigerian child and children across Africa, highlighting the theme for this year, “Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now.” The theme underscores the urgent need to ensure every child has access to quality education.
In her message, the First Lady emphasized that quality education is unattainable without a healthy reading culture. “To improve reading, we must ensure that every child has access to books,” she stated. She called for well-stocked and accessible libraries in every community, from urban centers to rural areas, recognizing libraries as essential hubs for learning and inspiration.
Oluremi Tinubu also urged schools to prioritize reading as a daily activity by integrating it into their curricula. She noted that embedding reading into the educational framework would foster a lifelong love for learning among students. Teachers, she added, need to be equipped with the necessary resources and training to effectively promote reading habits.
Additionally, the First Lady encouraged the strengthening of book clubs nationwide, describing them as wonderful opportunities for children to come together, share stories, and discuss ideas. “Book clubs not only enhance reading skills but also build a sense of community and foster critical thinking,” she remarked.
“The time is now to make reading a cornerstone of our children’s education,” she asserted, reinforcing the importance of collective efforts to unlock the full potential of every African child through the power of reading and quality education.
Concluding her message, First Lady Tinubu extended her heartfelt wishes: “Happy International Day of the African Child. God bless all our children. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
