KPMG begins combat on childhood illiteracy in Nigeria

…targets low income families

By Prince Okafor & Elizabeth Adegbesan

KPMG Nigeria has launched a Corporate Social Responsibility programme, in a bid to combat childhood illiteracy in schools especially pupils from low-income families in the country.

According to the firm, the programme, aimed at addressing the United Nation’s (UN) sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No 4, which focus on improving education and featuring book donations, visit to schools and holding reading sessions for student with KPMG staff acting as volunteers.

The CSR programme known as KPMG Family for Literacy was held in both Saint Jude’s Nursery and Primary school, Oyingbo and Saint Mary convent & girls school, CMS, Lagos.

Speaking during the two days programme, Global Head of Citizenship, KPMG, Lord Michael Hastings, urged the pupils to read the books which were given them so as to imbibe the culture of reading which will prepare them to achieve their goals.

“If you learn to love and treasure reading, like you are doing now, the books we are going to give you today are yours. I want you to keep and read them always to enrich your mind so that when you get older you don’t divide your mind back and you will be great leaders,” said Hastings.

According to him over 6000 books which consists of Macmillan Mathematics & English text books and two story books were given out to pupils in Saint Jude’s Nursery & Primary school and Saint Mary convent & girls school during the flag off of the programme.

On his part, National Senior Partner, KPMG Nigeria and Chairman, KPMG Africa, Mr. Kunle Elebute said: “We believe it is important to help children especially in public schools where their family do not have the capabilities to make sure they read books every day. We are donating books to the children. We also have volunteers who will read to them so as to enhance their reading culture. On a regular basis (monthly) the volunteers will come to the school to read to the pupils. Not just read alone, but read to them to understand. This will enable them be able to read in their surroundings and their community.”

The programme, Elebute noted, is the firm’s first in Nigeria and would be held in two other schools (apart from Saint Jude) in Lagos after which it would be spread to other parts of the country.

“KPMG launched this literacy programme in the United States of America where we spread it to Mexico, China, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, India, and we are spreading it also to Europe and here we are in Nigeria. This is the first time we are launching the programme in Nigeria. At least let us start with Lagos and plan here after to go out of Lagos to other states over time. We are only doing today and tomorrow three schools before the year ends 2018,” he said.

A parent of one of the pupils, Mr. Kehinde Olaodun said: “this is the first time I have witnessed this in this school. If people like this are coming up to render such help to schools there will be enhanced education system and sound future leaders in the country.”

Commending KPMG during the launch, Head teacher, Saint Jude school, said: “I am very grateful for what KPMG has done in my school. I call these children my children and I am very passionate about them. I call this school my school because I want the best for it. I have worked in many schools over 33 years ago but when I was posted to this school I said this should be my last flap. When the KPMG came to me to tell me about the programme I didn’t know it will be as big as this.”

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