Senate, House committees, others commend Launch Of Project Educate All Library For IDPs

Senate Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and its federal House of Representatives counterparts, among others have described the launch of Project Educate All libraries for IDPs as a stop-gap solution where a large proportion of young people have never experienced the joys of a library.

They appealed to both the private and public sector to join the laudable project by the Federal commissioner for Refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman – Ibrahim in bringing back the culture of reading in all IDP camps.

Tagged ‘Readers are Leaders’, the well attended ceremony saw sheer excitements on the faces of over 900 pupils of the primary school on Thursday in Abuja, who relished the unique prospect of enjoying a brand new library facility well equipped with simple and straight short stories published by the Okocha sisters.

Renee and Zara Okocha, children of the famous soccer star, Jay Jay Okocha, are the founder of the NGO called ‘I Am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative’ (IFON) and authors of over 56 picture books targeting first readers.

According to the Honourable Federal Commissioner, the Project Educate All’, has been conceived in line with the Commission’s work plan to address the growing challenge and learning needs of displaced persons as well as to ensure accelerated learning in emergency setting in line with global practices.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that the launch of this phase of the project was in partnership with ‘I Am The Future of Nigeria’ and will complement the transitional learning centres that would further enhance the reading and fast-track learning for pupils in camps and host communities.

She applauded the resilience of IDPs, the Teachers, Head Master, IDP leaders, Parents of the pupils, and added that it is our jobs to ensure that these children become the best version of themselves and we can only do so by encouraging them to Read in order to Lead!

She thanked President Muhammadu and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq for their unflinching support for strengthening humanitarian policies and interventionist response programmes and projects, in the particular interest of all persons of concern and the Nation at large.

The Board Chairman of the Commission, Hon Peter Biye, commended the initiative of the Federal Commissioner in the conception of the Library projects and other numerous schemes including building of Resettlement Cities across the country. He lamented the fact that the statutory allocations to the Commission is too meager to accomodate the loft programmes of the Honourable Commissioner, thus pleaded with the Senate and House committees to vote more funds for the commission to function efficiently for the displaced people.

On his part, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Senator Frank Ibezim, said Sulaiman-Ibrahim is doing a fantastic job at the Commission and urged her to discuss with organisations and development partners to at least adopt a shelve of books and donate to schools in the nooks and crannies of the country, which underscores the significant roles of libraries in all institutions of learning.

Ibezim added that all children, regardless of their background, situation and ability should have access to quality education.
“I believe that promoting Classroom libraries in IDP camps and all primary schools will bring back the culture of reading.’

The National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress,Dr Betta Edu, who also attended the launch was full of praises for Sulaiman-Ibrahim for her innovations and the growth trajectory she has brought to the Commission. She added that the successes of the Federal Commissioner and those of others should be tied to the party and President Muhammadu Buhari so that the public will know and vote for APC in the general election.

House Committee Chairman on IDPs and Refugees, Hon Muhammad Umar Jega, was also full of commendations for the good job of educating the IDPs using the library, described it as the epicenter of learning and writing,and promised adequate legislative support for the commission.