The International Holiness Pentecostal Church Nigeria, Grace Chapel, has launched a Book Club to enhance youth reading culture and writing skills to combat cybercrime, drug abuse, among other social vices.
The development is also targeted at promoting human capital development by boosting mental, social, and industrial capacities among young Nigerians.
The launch was held on Sunday in Lagos with attendees emphasising the critical role of reading in youth development and societal growth.
According to the Assistant Western Conference Superintendent in charge of Youth in the church, Pastor Samuel Ikebugo, stated that “The objectives of the Book Club include plans to restore youth glory, bridge the leadership gap, foster creativity, develop literary skills, sustain marital bliss, sharpen communication skills, reduce unemployment.”
The clergyman added that the club would also revive the reading culture, boost public speaking skills and build confidence in the beneficial young Nigerians.
Speaking, the Team Lead and Coordinator of the Club, Ogbeide Blessing, noted that the objective of the Bookish Bunch is to ensure that the 21st century is driven by technology adding that “We do not want the reading culture to die.”
Blessing further said, “The vision is to foster the reading culture in teenagers and young adults because reading books takes you to places you never go physically. When you read a book, your imagination runs wild, you learn, you gain knowledge, and you are respected as a person of unique intellect.
“We want to ensure that the reading culture does not die but keeps growing from the bottom to the top. We are starting this from the International Pentecostal Holiness Church Grace Chapel Nigeria and taking it to all parts of the world, as far as the sky can contain,” she added.
In the coordinator’s search for readers, she added that “we have performed beyond our expectations; from the presentation, we have identified individuals’ talents. The club provides platforms for people to be mentored, modelled, and facilitated in knowledge, and to excel to the peak of their careers.”
On his part, the Chief Launcher and Chairman of the occasion, Dr Francis Anyanwu, stressed that “The club is a place where people come to develop themselves into what they are destined to become. You are what you read, and what you read is you. It is reading that makes people. If you don’t study, you are only welcoming failure.
“Failure is simply defined as people who don’t have time to read. By studying, you eliminate the need to start afresh, paving the way to success.”
According to Anyanwu, everyone in the club is here for self-advancement, one has to continue to rise in your life, read, so as to also be an author.
Speaking also, the Chief Convener and Senior Pastor of the church, Reverend Joseph Ehimen, also noted, “This could come in the form of humane, kind, financial, and networking support. We need physical structures and virtual platforms for hybrid meetings of all members and must assemble the necessary resources.
“We plan to reach out to respected Nigerian authors, poets, academics, top business executives, and industry captains to mentor the club members and give direction to the vision. Readers can become writers and authors of great books.”
“The project aims not only to read motivational books but also to boost youths’ confidence and public speaking skills. The structure will be multi-dimensional, involving the church, government, and civil society.”