International Literacy Day: NAS Takes Reading Campaign to Bayelsa School
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, Oxbow Marino Deck, has launched a Reading Club at a secondary school in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
The initiative was held at the Comprehensive Community Secondary School, Yenizue-Gene/Biogbolo, as part of activities marking the 2026 International Literacy Day.
The programme also featured the donation of novels, textbooks and other reading materials to promote reading among students.
Speaking at the event, the Capoon of Oxbow Marino Deck, Arc. Timiebi Binafeigha, said literacy had evolved beyond reading and writing.
Binafeigha stressed the need for young people to acquire knowledge and skills capable of preparing them for the demands of a changing world.
He said NAS, which he described as a United Nations-accredited organisation, was committed to promoting a strong reading culture among young people.
“If we train the students to read today, they will do well in the future,” he said.
Binafeigha said literacy now encompassed areas such as environmental sustainability, information and communication technology and other fields of knowledge.
He said the Reading Club was established to encourage students to make reading a regular activity beyond their prescribed school textbooks.
“If you pick that interest in reading and have a reading culture, it will help you to read your normal Physics, Chemistry and Biology textbooks,” he said.
Binafeigha urged governments, communities, individuals and organisations to support initiatives aimed at improving literacy and reviving the reading culture among Nigerian youths.
“We are here to encourage these young ones that education is key. That is why we are here today,” he said.
The school principal, Mr Court Ogbuseri, represented by the Senior Tutor, Mrs Grace Obiyai, commended NAS for the initiative.
Obiyai said the organisation’s engagement with the students provided practical learning experiences beyond conventional classroom teaching.
She urged the students to apply the lessons from the programme to their academic and personal development.
The Senior Prefect and newly inaugurated President of the Reading Club, Miss Celine Tulagha, described the initiative as an opportunity to enhance students’ academic growth.
“I feel honoured and privileged. I believe this club will help us in our academic pursuit,” she said.
Tulagha expressed appreciation to NAS for the initiative and pledged that the students would make effective use of the opportunity.
The programme featured the inauguration of the Reading Club, book-reading session, interactive talks, quiz competition and presentation of school bags and educational materials.
The donated materials included textbooks and reading resources for the students and the newly establ
ished Reading Club.
