By Kelvin Ebuka.
BookNation has commenced a strategic engagement with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as part of its commitment to advancing purpose-driven reading, lifelong learning, transformational knowledge and community-based literacy development across Nigeria.
A delegation of BookNation visited the NOUN Senate Building in Jabi, Abuja, where a formal letter requesting a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the University was submitted.
The delegation was led to the Senate Building by Professor Moses Etila Shaibu of the Centre for Excellence in Migration and Global Studies, CEMGS, NOUN, who facilitated the submission of the request.
The delegation included the BookNation’s Chief Custodian of the BookNation Vision, Manuel Mayeoma RAHIM, the National Coordinator, Abu ThankGod , National Desk Officer, Miss Salama Shawai Adamu, BookNation’s National Director,ICT & Strategic Communications, Mr Kelvin Ebuka, FCT-Abuja’s BookNation’s National Representative, Isah Patrick Doperi, and a member of his team, an Abuja-State Coordinator, a member of the National Liaison Committee On Private Institutions & Organization, Dr Matthew Achile Tokula, and other members of the National Team.
Following the submission of the letter, the delegation proceeded to meet with BookNation’s Advisor on Lifelong Learning and member of the BookNation Leadership & Advisory Council, Dr Mark Ochalla, who interrupted his engagement at the official orientation ceremony for postgraduate students of the University to meet with the team.
The meeting was subsequently joined by other BookNation members who were unable to participate in the earlier engagement at the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Among them were Miss Treasure Ezinne, BookNation’s Delta State National Representative, and Miss Serah Yusuf, Maltina Teacher Award Winner and a member of BookNation’s National team on Reading Competition.
The engagements provided an opportunity for meaningful discussions around lifelong learning, reading culture, literacy development, institutional collaboration and the broader vision of BookNation as a Transformational Knowledge Ecosystem.
The discussions were described as engaging and revealing, providing fresh perspectives and opening possibilities for deeper collaboration between BookNation and institutions committed to knowledge development and lifelong learning.
The engagement with NOUN represents an important step in BookNation’s broader strategy of working with universities, government institutions, communities and other strategic partners to promote purpose-driven reading, intentional learning and the practical application of knowledge.
BookNation believes that building a reading nation requires collaboration across sectors and institutions. Its approach seeks to complement existing efforts by bringing reading and learning initiatives closer to communities through literacy centres, trained facilitators, advocacy, capacity building and purpose-driven reading programmes.
The organisation looks forward to further engagement with NOUN and other strategic institutions as it continues to pursue its vision of building a world where lifelong purpose guides reading and books facilitate learning in order to build knowledge that transforms individuals, institutions and societies.
The engagement has begun. The possibilities are significant. And BookNation is just starting.
BookNation is a Transformational Knowledge Ecosystem committed to building a reading nation through curated books, purpose-driven reading, lifelong learning, research, advocacy, community engagement, capacity building and strategic partnerships.
Its guiding philosophy is that reading is the heartbeat of learning, and that knowledge becomes transformational when it is purposefully acquired, understood, applied and translated into positive impact.
o
This is just as it presented its official BookNation Stakeholders Community Handbook and the proposed BookNation Position Paper on Purpose-Driven Reading, Lifelong Learning and Non-Formal Education to its advisor on Lifelong Learning, Dr Mark Ochalla during this visit.
The Stakeholders Community Handbook provides a framework for understanding and engaging the various stakeholders within the BookNation ecosystem, while the proposed position paper sets out its perspectives and recommendations on the role of purpose-driven reading, lifelong learning and non-formal education in strengthening Nigeria’s reading and learning culture.
The position paper is currently undergoing final review by the BookNation Advisor before its formal submission to the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria.
The presentation of these documents further demonstrate BookNation’s desire to move beyond introductory engagements towards substantive institutional dialogue and collaboration, particularly in areas relating to reading, learning, lifelong education and community-based knowledge development.
BookNation believes that institutions such as NOUN, with their strong commitment to open, accessible and lifelong education, can play an important role in advancing conversations around purposeful reading and learning beyond the conventional classroom.
The organisation therefore looks forward to further engagement with the University and to exploring practical areas in which BookNation’s community-based initiatives can complement existing institutional efforts.
