Reading is an important element in the development of the society, hence there is the need for children to build a culture of reading to increase their knowledge and chart the course for a better future.

          Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun stated this in Abeokuta at the Sixth Sense Children Reading Competition with the theme: “Reading Culture: a tool for successful learning and self-actualisation among new generation".

          Mrs. Abiodun submitted that a thriving reading culture is important for increasing vocabulary, language and social skills development, as well as literacy skills to ensure that children enjoy reading, so as to boost their educational achievements.

          "A thriving reading culture is important for vocabulary, language, and social skills development, and it also helps to build language and literacy skills. We aim to ensure all children enjoy reading to give them the gift of imagination and creativity, to boost their educational achievements", she said.

          The Governor’s wife expressed satisfaction at the presentations of the children, stating that they demonstrated excellent reading skills which showed the efforts of their teachers, encouraging them to do more to increase the nation's literacy rate.

          "Ogun State government has been proactive in keeping children in school and the Dapo Abiodun administration has done tremendous work in recognising and improving the work of teachers in the State because we see education as an important driver of development.

          “I am committed to ensuring that Sustainable Development Goal 4 is achieved by 2030, which is the universal provision of free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education, leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes, through improved planning by addressing some of the systemic barriers that hinder an effective education strategy," Mrs. Abiodun added.

          In his welcome address, Founder, Sixth Sense Initiative, Mr. Abiodun Lasile, said the goal of the initiative was to purposely enhance reading culture in children through motivation.

          Lasile added that the Initiative had been able to achieve distribution of free books to children in schools and communities with the help of donor partners in the country and in diaspora, calling on everyone to be part of the movement.