In an effort to improve and empower the girl-child to be the best she can be through reading, the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN) has called for improved reading culture among female students.
SWAN in contributing to the cause through its Equipping Schools Libraries Project, donated books to FESTAC Girls’ Secondary School, Lagos.
During the donation, the national chairperson of SWAN, Nwamara Nnaji, said the books would encourage the students to read more.
“Reading is a very essential part of learning and then we realise that in some of our schools, the libraries are not well equipped with books.
“Due to the economic realities, some students cannot afford the books. So, the association thought it necessary to assist the schools to bring in more books to their libraries so that the students who cannot buy some of these books will be able to have access to the books and read them for free,” she said.
Nnaji added that a well-equipped library offers an excellent academic environment for students to concentrate and explore different subjects in a one-stop peaceful environment.
Libraries, she added, offer a good research background for an aspiring student to learn, think, create, share and grow with no worries about affordability.
“SWAN believes in knowledge, research, exploring, learning and improvement. SWAN believes in studying wide and in-depth. Without knowledge, as a student and even as a professional, you cannot fulfill your potential,” she stated.
She also noted that some of the books would assist students who are interested in writing the junior Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) exam in their preparations.
Nnaji encouraged the students to imbibe a reading culture, noting that there are so many advantages of reading.
“Embrace the habit of good reading; seize the opportunity of making use of the school library as often as you can in order to research better without having to worry about buying the good books yourself for lack of funds.
“You get wider experience; it will sharpen your knowledge; you get to know certain things that have been happening outside your own environment. It will also help them prepare for their exam and pass,” she added.
The chairperson of the project, Ronke Akeredolu, said the project was aimed at empowering and inspiring the girl-child, promoting and improving the reading culture in secondary school students and enlightening students about SWAN, ICAN and the accounting profession.
“We are determined to give the best to the project for the benefit of the girl-child, being leaders of tomorrow,” Akeredolu stated.
The principal of the school, Mrs. Akinyemi Anthonia, applauded the association for donating the books to the institution.
