A non-governmental organisation, The Flickers of Hope Foundation, has unveiled a community library aimed at boosting reading culture among students.

The executive director of the organisation, Omolara Adedeji, said during the inauguration of the library in Bwari on Saturday that the intervention would bridge the education and learning gap through access to good books.

Ms Adedeji said that the library was timely as it would provide access to academic textbooks for pupils in the community, thereby reviving the reading culture as well as increasing literacy.

She explained that the library structure currently serves people aged nine and above, while pledging to introduce an online library in the near future that would provide electronic books for readers.

“Education is a tool and platform for tomorrow and this library stands as a beacon of knowledge, a hub of learning and a centre for connection within our community. The library is important to increase literacy in our community and we ensure the community takes over the library. The books here were donated by members of the community. Currently, we have 937 books in the library, ranging from academic books such as textbooks, inspirational books on business and management, advanced and tertiary-level books and others. We charge a monthly access fee of N200 for ages nine to 19 and N1,000 for ages 20 and above,” she said.

Ms Adedeji said the fees were introduced so that the users would be serious and also value the importance of education.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Bwari Area Council, Isuwa Tanko, commended the initiative offered by the foundation, pledging to key into the drive to increase literacy among pupils.

Mr Tanko, represented by the head teacher of Model School, Bwari, Yunusa Abdullahi, said efforts were on to identify children who were out of school and bring them back to the learning environment.

He said the community library would serve as a first contact point where such children, who were out of school, could learn.

“The project of education cannot be carried out only by the government because it is a mighty project. Efforts by the NGO through the provision of an initiative such as this will help society and the government succeed,” he said.

The foundation also hosted the second edition of the inter-school quiz competition among pupils in the community.

(NAN)