2 weeks ago
25
The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has kicked off its 2025 activities with a renewed push to enhance literacy and creative writing among Nigerian youths.
The flag-off event, held Thursday at Adam’s Pages Bookstore, Abuja, coincided with World Read Aloud Day 2025 and the 56th anniversary of Cyprian Ekwensi’s literary classics, The Drummer Boy and The Passport of Mallam Ilia.
The ceremony brought together students from various Abuja schools for a read-aloud session of Ekwensi’s works, reinforcing TYBLI’s commitment to fostering a reading culture among young Nigerians.
TYBLI Chairperson, Dr. Elizabeth Ben-Iheanacho, outlined the organisation’s 2024 achievements and unveiled ambitious plans for the New Year.
She emphasised that TYBLI founded and sponsored by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. T.Y. Buratai (retd.) “remains steadfast in promoting literacy through book placements and literary competitions.”
“In our maiden outing in 2024, we placed the TY Buratai Book Box in three schools one in Nasarawa State and two in the FCT. We also introduced the Forerunners and Illustrators Award to honour pioneers in Young Adult Literature (YAL) in Nigeria,” she said.
Speaking at the event, TYBLI’s vice-chairman, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Sani, urged stakeholders, educators and corporate organisations to support TYBLI’s vision for a more literate Nigeria.
He also encouraged students to embrace reading as a habit, reminding them that “readers are leaders.”
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