On February 1, 2023, Landmark University under the auspices of its Centre for Learning Resources organized a reading programme to commemorate World Read Aloud Day alongside the rest of the world. The University played host to a number of students of both Primary and Secondary schools from the Omu-Aran community and environs who amplified the importance of reading aloud thereby not only enhancing their eloquence, vocabulary, and confidence but also establishing shared delight in the act of reading.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charity Aremu, in her remarks emphasized the need for young ones to improve on the reading culture, noting that developed nations are known for their strong learning culture. “From your point of birth, you start learning until you grow old. The only way to train your mind and skills is by reading,” she noted. According to her, empowerment is derived through reading, “the best way to engage the young generation is to encourage reading hence the need for the world read aloud day. Books train your mind so that you can imagine to think big,” she reiterated.  

Professor Aremu stated that reading aloud helps increase students’ confidence, and assist teachers to capture students’ attention while improving reader’s communication skill. In Conclusion, the Vice-Chancellor urged the students and pupils to make reading a must in their daily activities.

The Registrar, Mr Olushola Oyinloye in his welcome address decried the poor reading culture in Africa. Mr Oyinloye who enjoined participants to cultivate a way of life of reading noted that leaders are made from reading books. “As children, what will carry you to the topmost is to spend quality time reading”, he said.

For the acting Director Center for Learning Resources, Dr Ayooluwa Aregbesola, World Read Aloud Day should not be limited to an annual commemoration with little or no impact. He beckoned on other institutions and schools to key into organizing frequent read-aloud programmes such as establishing reading clubs and societies in schools, introducing the act of reading stories, poetry and other educational materials into the school’s extra-curricular activities and also stage competitions. He, thereafter, urged participants to make reading habit their lifestyle as they grow up. 

During the programme, the participants who were mainly pupils, students and teachers engaged in reading poetry and stories aloud after which there was a literature review of the poems and the stories. The ecstatic students and pupils had the privilege to share their experiences and knowledge of reading literary works while at the end of the event, the literary experts, Dr. Olushola Akanmode and Mr. Olaniyi Adekanye, motivated participants who have not been engaging in reading to align in. 

Some of the teachers present at the programme in their comments appreciated Landmark University for coming up with such an impactful programme, which according to them would enhance their teaching skills. 

At the close of the programme, the participating schools which are Landmark University Secondary School, Oasis International College, Aperan Comprehensive College, Government Secondary School Omu-Aran, Omu-Aran High School and Landmark University Nursery and Primary School Omu-Aran received book donations courtesy of Landmark University.  

The Vice-Chancellor while giving her address

The Vice-Chancellor engaging the students. 

Registrar, Mr. Olushola Oyinloye while giving his remark

The DCLR, Dr. Ayooluwa Aregbesola while addressing participants at the world read aloud day.

Dr. Olushola Akanmode one of the literary experts at the world read aloud day 2023.

Mr. Olaniyi Adekanye engaging one of the students during the literature review. 

A student of the Government Secondary School Omu-Aran during the interactive session. 

A pupil of Landmark University Nursery and Primary School participating in the discourse. 

A cross-section of participants from Aperan Comprehensive College. 

Management of Landmark University in a group photograph with the pupils and teachers of Landmark University Nursery and Primary School 

Management of Landmark University in a group photograph with the pupils and teachers of Oasis Nursery and Primary School

Management of Landmark University in a group photograph with the pupils and teachers of Aperan Comprehensive College

Management of Landmark University in a group photograph with the pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran

One of the teachers for Oasis Nursery and Primary School commenting on the impact of the programme

The DCLR making presentation of books to Landmark University Nursery and Primary School

The DCLR presenting gifts to some of the participants from secondary schools

Group Photograph of participants at the 2023 World Read Aloud Day in Landmark University