The International Pentecostal Holiness church Nigeria (IPHCN) known as the Grace Chapel of the Western Conference, has instituted book review to promote reading culture among the youth of the ministry.
“It aims to encourage improved reading and writing habits among GenZ youth, reduce cybercrimes and criminality; decrease the influence of illicit drugs, and promote human capital development by fostering mental, social, and industrial capacity among the youth,” Joseph Ehimen, senior pastor in charge of the Church stated.
He stated further that the vision is an idea which time has come, and described the youth as the prime of the society.
According to Ehimen, society needs to expose the youth to better equipment that would enable them to sustain social and family values.
Francis Anyanwu, resource person and chairman of the event, stated that the club aimed to foster youth development, reduce cybercrime among youth through an improved self-development through reading.
He stated further that the target of the club is human capital development, and that the Church intends to raise a pool of professionals who will shape the future of the world in no distant time.
“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,” he stated.
Blessing Ogbeide, team lead and coordinator of the Book Club, stated that the organisation would ensure that the 21st century is driven by youth with knowledge.
“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,” she stated.
Ogbeide traced the formation of the club to a league of ladies of same social pursuit within the Church that resulted in the inclusion of males of like minds.
“From the presentation, we have identified individuals’ talents and strengths. The club provides platforms for people to be mentored, modeled, and facilitated in knowledge, and to excel to the peak of their careers,” Ogbeide stated.
The Fadeiyi, Lagos Chapel that newly inaugurated a book club called ‘Bookish Bunch’ said the project was part of its youth reform intervention.
The participants reviewed John Marshall’s motivational novel entitled ‘Let Today Count’, just as attendees emphasised the critical role of reading in youth development and societal growth.
