As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Total Upstream recently organized a reading session in Port Harcourt. It was attended by 60 students from six selected secondary schools in the Rivers State capital. The objective is to revive the declining reading culture among Nigerians. The event was also used to donate books to the Rivers State Ministry of Education and the participating schools. The theme was “Imbibing the Habit of Reading”. It was flagged off with the recitation by Mrs Chinyere Agabi, of her poem titled “The Garden City of Gold”. The reading session became more interactive as the participating students and Prof. Joseph Ajienka of the University of Port Harcourt read different chapters from Joanne Bloch’ s, “A Few Little Lies”. “Today we have identified our Company’s interest with the campaign to get young Nigerians to imbibe the habit of reading books as a way of life”, the Deputy Managing Director, Port Harcourt District stated in his welcome remarks to participants at the event. The DMD who was represented by the Executive General Manager, Port Harcourt Administration, Mr. Peter Igbinovia said reading opens a new horizon and makes the individual better informed and abreast of happenings around the world.
The event brought together role models such as renowned authors, poets, educationists and government functionaries including Gabriel Okara, Elechi Amadi, Chinyere Agabi; Commissioner for Youth Development, Rivers State, Mr. Owene Wonodi and Prof. Joseph Ajienka, Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt who was also the guest reader. Drawing from their experiences, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Owene Wonodi and Captain Elechi Amadi urged the students to see reading as leisure, for it not only helps acquire knowledge but also ensures a bright future. “The opportunities are in your hands and see this event as a welcome call to imbibe the culture of reading a book a day in order to expand your horizons”, Elechi Amadi advised.
The President, Association of Nigerian Principals of Secondary Schools, Rivers State, Dr. Mrs Fubara had decried the negative influences of social media such as Face Book and Blackberry on students. According to her; “a reading nation is an informed nation.” Participants at the event commended the efforts of Total in reviving the ailing culture of book reading amongst Nigerians especially students, by inculcating in the students the habit of reading not just to pass their examinations but to also have an informed mind. Determined to re-awaken reading habits among students, the Book Reading and Book Donations Project, is a new dimension to Total’s Corporate Social Responsibility. This is in addition to other educational initiatives like Open Day Forum, Quiz and Spelling Competitions, etc.
