Microsoft Moves to Improve Reading Culture in Schools

 Microsoft Nigeria employees as part of a landmark initiative intended to empower Nigerian youth under its Diversity Programme has donated learning materials to Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Alapere.
The company’s employees donated a standard library coupled with desks and chairs to the school.
Working closely with the Ofunneka Youth Empowerment Trust Fund (OYETF), the team was able to purchase books for the library from Longman Publishers at a discounted rate. OYETF also donated motivational and fictional books to the library.
Uzo Nwani, Enterprise Account manager, Microsoft Nigeria, coordinator of the project at the handling over of the library to the school said, the donation of the library in addition to providing resource materials for students to complete assignments and carry out research, is more importantly, premeditated to improve the reading culture which is gradually being eroded in the society.
Nwani explained, that “the project started off as a career talk/guide and was initially targeted at helping the girl-child make informed decisions in choosing a career.  However, when we came in and saw the enormity of work to be done in the school, we realised that for us to make an impact, we needed to put in a lot more as well as reach out to more students.  We thereafter set up a funds committee amongst the staff to raise money overtime.”
Responding on behalf the school, Mr. Okuribido, principal of the school expressed his gratitude to the donors.
“Today marks a memorable day for us because this is the first time since I joined this school, that we will be witnessing a donation of this scale.  As is often said, a man who reads is years ahead of a man who does not.  I sincerely hope the students will take advantage of the opportunity being provided to develop a reading culture which will help hone their skills.”
 “We appreciate the concerted effort of Microsoft and its employees at bettering the community in which they operate,” added Okuribido.
As part of the project, the donors also encouraged students to form reading and elocution groups which they hope will eventually translate to a learning community.
A visibly excited student of the school, said, “I am very happy this is happening during my tenure.  I intend to actively encourage fellow students to utilise the library during their free periods instead of playing away their time.”
Speaking earlier, Awawu Olumide-Sojinrin, Senior Finance manager, Microsoft Nigeria, explained that “One of the underlying principles at Microsoft is to positively affect lives and today’s donation is a demonstration of that.  We hope this crop of students will go on to affect other people who will in turn affect others.
Working closely with the Ofunneka Youth Empowerment Trust Fund (OYETF), the team was able to purchase books for the library from Longman Publishers at a discounted rate. OYETF also donated motivational and fictional books to the library.