Happy World Book Day! + 4000 Books for Nigerian Children

 Today is World Book and Copyright Day (and Night) and we at ZODML couldn't be more excited. This yearly celebration of books, readers, authors, and the laws which protect them is one of our favourites. 2014 is especially exciting for us at it sees both the inauguration of Port Harcourt, Rivers State as the World Book Capital and our 4000 Children's Book Drive.
Why does reading matter?
UNESCO defines literacy as a "fundamental human right". The ability to read and write - and to have access to literacy resources - can transform lives. Combined with technology, it can empower individuals, families, and communities to face challenges, communicate, and build a better future, whether through gaining employable skills or developing a reading habit that strengthens empathy for others. Literacy encourages constant learning and growth - something central to ZODML's mission- and enables people to improve themselves and the society around them.
Nigeria and Literacy
  According to recent statistics, 49.9% of Nigerian adults (41,845,174 people) are considered illiterate. The figure for youth (people aged 15 to 24) is slightly better at 33.6% (9,814,568), but still far from ideal. The rates vary from region to region (with the North generally faring worse than the South). Research has shown that countries with higher literacy rates are more likely to benefit from globalization, as well as benefit from engaged and active citizens participating in the legal process. It is vital to remember that the channels through which people become literate are just as important as literacy itself, and that "a literate society needs sound macroeconomic management, investment in infrastructure, and other appropriate development policy measures." While some reform has taken place in recent years in the Nigerian education sector, poor WAEC results, university strikes, and low teacher pay/investment shows that the country still has a long way to go before reaping the benefits which come from an empowered and literate populace.
ZODML 4000 Children's Book Drive
The Oasis Library established by ZODML at St George's Girls Primary School, Ikoyi, Lagos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c01Pcsk5mWs ZODML works to ensure that regardless of means, all Nigerians have the ability to access information and learning tools to acquire knowledge. We do this through our projects, our Community Library, and our website, which offer free resources to thousands of children and adults. Last year we listed ways in which individuals could celebrate World Book Day and spread the joy of reading in their community. This year we are joining hands with concerned Nigerians everywhere to raise 4000 children's books for Oasis Libraries at Araromi Baptist Primary School, Lagos Island and Obalende Primary School, Obalende. Many public schools in Nigeria are unable to stock a library for their students due to budget concerns, a troubling trend that is rising across the world. Author Neil Gaiman recently shared a chilling anecdote:
I was once in New York, and I listened to a talk about the building of private prisons – a huge growth industry in America. The prison industry needs to plan its future growth – how many cells are they going to need? How many prisoners are there going to be, 15 years from now? And they found they could predict it very easily, using a pretty simple algorithm, based on asking what percentage of 10 and 11-year-olds couldn't read. And certainly couldn't read for pleasure. It's not one to one: you can't say that a literate society has no criminality. But there are very real correlations.
He goes on to add that:
[The] simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books, and letting them read them.
It is for this reason that ZODML does the work it does. Just one book can make a huge difference in the life of a child, a family, and a community. Consider dropping off new and gently used children's titles at our Community Library (located at 196 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos). Click here to find out more about the Book Drive.
Here's to a wonderful World Book Day and the joy of reading and learning for all!
 [Tweet ""Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope." - Kofi Annan #WorldBookDay"]