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Farafina Books kick off a public schools literacy initiative in Lagos today, as “a unique way” of celebrating Nigeria at 50.

Starting from 12
midday, students of Ansar-Ru-Deen College, Isolo, Lagos, will be
treated to a reading by radio On-Air personality, writer, and youth
figure, Tosyn Bucknor. The two-hour event will be the first of a
quartet of readings around Lagos public schools, as a way of sparking a
love of reading in youngsters.

Chart-topping
singer, Omawunmi of West African Idol fame, will take up the baton on
October 13 by reading to the pupils of Festac Grammar School, Festac,
Lagos. Hip-hoppers Rooftop MCs will visit Isale Eko Grammar School on a
similar mission on October 20.

Rounding up the
readings will be rapper, Naeto C; the lyricist will read for students
of Omole Grammar School, Omole Phase I, Ikeja, on October 27.

Each celebrity will
read an excerpt of a Farafina book of their choice to the students,
who, it is hoped, will be more receptive, seeing books being read by
the new figures of ‘cool’ culture. In addition to reading excerpts, the
celebrities will give chats to students about the importance of reading
and education. The events will also be interactive, with the
opportunity for students to put questions to the personalities.

Speaking about the
initiative, Farafina said, “We conceived this idea to help revive the
reading culture, which is fast becoming extinct among our youth, and
consequently, (to) improve educational standards in our schools.”

Farafina, which
claims to be the leading imprint of indigenous fiction in Nigeria and
whose stated mission is to ‘Tell Our Own Stories’, brought the
celebrities on board as they are role models youth can readily identify
with.

“Our hope is that
through this book reading, the students would be inspired to read and
this would improve their academic performance,” said the publisher,
which will also present complimentary copies of its books to the
libraries of participating schools, as well as deserving students.

Founded in 2005,
Fafafina has published over 30 titles by some of Africa’s best known
authors including Ben Okri and Ngugi wa Thiong’o. It also published the
best selling ‘Purple Hibiscus’, the debut novel by Orange Prize winning
author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. ‘Purple Hibiscus’ has recently been
placed on the literature reading list for the West African Education
Certificate (WAEC).

All events on the programme begin at 12 noon and end at 2pm in the selected schools.