Worried by the negative influence of social media on children, particularly their reading culture, nine-year-old Osaivbie Izedonmwen, has set a goal to read 200 books this year.
He lamented that gadgets and laptops are taking away the love of reading among school children, so, he decided to start the Read with Us challenge.
Since starting in January, the young Izedonmwen has been reviewing the books he has read via his Instagram page.
The nine-year-old has now taken the challenge a step further by organising a book and toy donation drive.
On Easter Sunday, supported by his older brother, the duo went to church and donated over 100 books to kids, encouraging them to invest more time in reading. This is a drive he hopes to continue yearly.
Currently in Grade 4 at Hampton Preparatory School, Lekki, Lagos, Izedonmwen said he started reading at the age of three, enjoining everyone to read and enjoy the same pleasure he derives from it.
“I really like reading. It’s exciting. It’s like watching a movie in your head, but your imagination is limitless,” he said.
He solicited more donations to enable him to reach out to more children, who can’t afford to buy books.
His parents, Osayi and Taiye Izedonmwen, said: “We are excited that our children now understand that readers are leaders, and no one can go far with just playing games instead of gaining knowledge through reading.”
