Using inclusive Library services to achieve OUR development agenda By: NEEMAT DAUD ABDULRAHIM (CLN) Deputy Director / Head (City Library). FCT Education Resource Centre, Abuja. Innovator, INELI – SSAF Cohort 1 Mentor, INELI – SSAF Cohort 2 E-mail: neemdar@yahoo.com

Introduction Literacy is the ability to read, speak, write and compute to a level. It is essential for the development of any country for the citizens to be literate. Most often part of the population that suffer from poverty, crime and unemployment are the illiterates. Majority of the jobs in Nigeria requires the ability to read, write, compute and communicate to a certain level (literate) in English language.

City Library Development Services Developing a reading culture fosters a love for and a habit of reading among learners. In City Library Abuja, it is generally believed that libraries are uniquely situated to promote literacy. That is the major reason why we develop our own programmes to support literacy projects. Based on this, the City Library Annual Children Summer Holiday programme (BEARHUG) was initiated in 2010 for children between ages 7 – 16 to promote reading culture as well as entrepreneurship among the target group and also positively engage them during the summer holidays. In October 2016, an innovative literacy programme for the ‘Almajiris’ (Street Boys) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) was introduced.

What made 2017 BEARHUG Programme Unique? The 2017 Children Summer Holiday programme (BEARHUG) was one unique programme as the library incorporated the new innovative service of literacy training for the Almajiris (Street Boys). The focus was to integrate the on-going Almajiris activities into the annual BEARHUG programme to give a sense of belonging as well as show case their talents to parents and children from privileged homes. The library incorporated in the programme, unique and innovative learning activities, such as cooking, art classes, drama, spelling bee, drama and brainstorming.

Reading Sessions

Reading Sessions (cont’d)

Creative Activities by the BEARHUG Children and ‘Almajiris’ Story writing session by BEARHUG Children Drawing & Painting session by Almajiris Brainstorming session by BEARHUG Children Drama session by Almajiris

Cooking Training in the Library: An Entrepreneurship Innovative Session

BEARHUG Children trying out their learnt recipes

BEARHUG Children having a taste of their tried out recipes

Mentoring Session for BEARHUG Children and Amlajiris on Career Choice and Positive Attitude

Almajiris proudly exhibiting their technological Knowledge

Exhibition of Almajiris Painting during 2017 Closing Ceremony of the BEARHUG Programme

Hard work is always rewarding as gift items from MTN and parents were given out including scholarship award to one of the Amlajiris (Musab Muazu) at the closing ceremony of 2017 BEARHUG

“My dream of becoming a Journalist is on the way of becoming a reality”. I believe one can always achieve what you want through hard work and if given the right opportunity at the appropriate time.

THANK YOU