They said this at the official opening ceremony of the Mart Recreation Park and Community library held in Lagos. According to them, the community library and recreational facility established in Ogba, Lagos is designed to uplift local youth and foster educational growth.
Speaking, immediate past President, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, stressed the transformative potential of the project for the community. He said the space, which was once a breeding ground for criminals, has now been converted into a hub of learning and transformation for young people. He also urged for more initiatives of this kind across Lagos to redirect youths from crime towards productive ventures.
LCCI president, Gabriel Idahosa described the library as a lasting legacy for the Ogba community, praising the brain behind the project, ensuring its maintenance and sustainability.
Former President LCCI, Nike Akande, lauded the project’s founder, Princess Funlayo Bakare-Okeowo, for her visionary leadership. She urged more Nigerians to embrace reading and pledged to contribute books to the library to further enrich its resources.
Group CEO, FAE Limited and Managing Director, The Mart Supermarket, Princess Funlayo Bakare Okeowo, who donated the Garden and Community library as part of her CSR project to empower the people of the community, added that she believes in its potential to transform lives and encourage youth literacy and creativity.
Reflecting on the transformation of the site, which once served as a hideout for hoodlums and miscreants; she said the place is free to use and represents her commitment to giving back to the community she has lived since 1976. “It will also host poetry readings, documentaries and self-expression workshops, which is why we partnered with the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA).”
Stressing the importance of maintenance, she said it has a dedicated team, including park managers, security personnel and cleaners to ensure its upkeep.
Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, highlighted the challenge posed by the pervasive influence of mobile phones and social media on young minds and expressed concern over the dwindling patronage of libraries, including those operated by the state government. Heurged parents to play an active role in fostering a reading culture among children, emphasising that the responsibility cannot be left solely to schools.
Students from the community expressed excitement about the new facility. Joel Grace, a senior secondary school student said, “This will give us access to books we can’t afford. It’s a blessing for students like me and I pray for more blessings on those who made it possible.”
