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The Ambassador of Ireland, His Excellency, Peter Ryan, through the Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML) has donated 20 bookcases to schools in Lagos State and the National Library of Nigeria (NLN).
The 20 bookcases with sixty-five chosen children’s books were assembled by ZODML and on Monday handed over to the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and to the Deputy Director and Head of Lagos Office, Mrs. Obianuju Onourah for the Green Library.
In his remarks, Ambassador of Ireland, Peter Ryan, said the donation of the books is meant to ensure the pupils in the4 selected schools reads a copy of the 65 books.
Represented by Aduke Gomez, the ambassador said the books would help the pupils to horn their writing skills, engage in better communication and also improve on their vocabulary.
Gomez acknowledged that Ryan loves books and that the donation is his second after the first one to a school Ikoyi, adding, “when children read these books, they learn about the past history of the country.”
At the handover ceremony of the children’s bookcases to the selected schools and NLN, the Co-founder and Chair of ZODML, Mrs. Ifeoma Esiri, said ZODML carry the name of a man who lost access to formal schooling as a boy, yet taught his way to a law qualification and senior public office.
“Every bookcase we hand over today carries forward his conviction: that a child given access to books can go as far as their curiosity will carry them,” she noted.
She expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Ireland, and the Ambassador Peter Ryan, for entrusting ZODML with the task of assembling and delivering the bookcases, which described as a “vote of confidence in our work that we do”.
Esiri clarified that ZODML is not only distributing the books but placing them in each of 9 public primary schools, as the first collection of what would become a full school library.
“My appeal to the head teachers of these schools is this: let this be the cornerstone, not the ceiling. Go to your alumni, your PTA, your community. Ask them to add to these books until you build a library around them.
“This is not unfamiliar ground for ZODML, we have already established thirty-four school libraries, one community library, and nineteen libraries inside correctional custodial centres. We know a modest beginning can grow into a full library, and where we can help you make that journey, we stand ready.”
She recalled a statement made recently by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, that 75 percent of Nigerian children are “learning poor”, noting that by age ten, they cannot read and understand a simple sentence. “Not literature. A simple sentence. Three out of every four Nigerian children cannot yet do this. It is a national emergency unfolding quietly in our classrooms.”
According to her, the content of the bookcases matters as much as their existence, adding that most of 65 books in each bookcase are fiction, written by Nigerian authors, for a child sees their own streets, food, and names reflected back at them, and understands that literature is not something that happens elsewhere.
Esiri noted: “It feels fitting that this gift comes from Ireland, because Ireland and Nigeria already share a literary connection. When Chinua Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated novels, he found the title in the poem of the Irish poet W. B. Yeats. Ireland once gave one of Nigeria’s great writers his title. Today, Ireland gives Nigeria’s children the start of 19 libraries.”
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The chair of ZODML described reading as the foundation on which every other kind of learning is built and observed that children do not become readers by being told to read, they become readers by reading, often and widely, books that delight them enough to reach for the next one.
She argued: “A nation that gives its children both a screen and a book teaches them not only to receive information, but to fall in love with a story, it is that falling in love that makes a lifelong reader, and it is a lifelong reader who builds a nation.”
The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) appreciated the ambassador and the Government and people of Ireland and ZODML for the donation books and bookcases to public primary schools.
The chairman, who was represened LSUBEB Librarian, Odunayo Adebowal said the gesture is far than the presentation of educational materials and raather a valuable investment in the future of the children.
“Books are powerful tools that inspire curiosity, broaden knowledge, nurture creativity, and develop lifelong learning habits. By providing these resources, you have strengthened our shared vision of ensuring that every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to succeed.”
He explained that the donation aligns with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to improving literacy, promoting a reading culture, and creating conducive learning environments for its pupils.
The chairman acknowledged that the books and bookcases will enrich the school libraries and encourage learners to discover the joy of reading.
His words: “Adequate monitoring mechanisms will be put in place to guarantee that the books and bookcases are well maintained, carefully preserved, and effectively utilized for the benefit of our learners. School heads, teachers, and library personnel will be encouraged to make these resources an integral part of teaching and learning activities, thereby maximizing their impact.
“We recognize that meaningful partnerships such as this are essential to achieving sustainable educational development. We therefore value this collaboration and look forward to strengthening the cordial relationship between the Irish Embassy, ZODML, and the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board in advancing quality basic education.”
The Deputy Director and Head of NLN Lagos Office, Mrs. Obianuju Onourah, lauded the Irish ambassador for the donation and pledged that NLN will partner with ZODML to ensure the books are used by the pupils in the selected 19 schools.
She confirmed that since Green Library came into existence, it has improved the reading among children and that on a monthly basis, 300 to 500 children the library to read books.
Onourah assured that NLN and LSUBEB will work together to ensure the children are engaged in reading the donated books, stating, “we encourage children to write stories after their visit to NLN Green library.’
One of the head teachers appreciated the Irish ambassador and ZODML for donation of books and bookcases to 19 schools and that the children will use it judiciously.
