TY Buratai Literary Initiative Donates Book Box to NSUK to Boost Reading Culture

TY Buratai Literary Initiative Donates Book Box to NSUK to Boost Reading Culture

By Matthew Eloyi

The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI), a brainchild of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), on Friday donated a book box to the Department of English at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), as part of its nationwide book placement project aimed at reviving the reading culture among Nigerian youths.

Led by the Chairperson of the Initiative, Dr. Liz Ben-Iheanacho, the TYBLI delegation commenced the visit with a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, to formally brief her on the purpose of the visit. Dr. Ben-Iheanacho reiterated the organisation’s commitment to nurturing literary talent among students and fostering a robust reading culture.

“A reading nation is a leading nation,” she declared, emphasising the importance of instilling the habit of reading among students to shape future leaders and thinkers.

In her response, Professor Liman expressed profound appreciation to TYBLI for choosing NSUK as the pioneer beneficiary of the project. She noted that the gesture would have a far-reaching impact not only on the students of the English Department but across the entire student body.

“This initiative is commendable,” she said, urging scholars and writers in the university community to complement the effort by donating their own books to the box. She also called on TYBLI to sustain the engagement by visiting the university regularly to encourage and mentor students.

At the Faculty of Arts, the Dean, Professor Adam Ayuba Binchi, described the visit as timely and historic. “It is a privilege to witness this happening during my tenure,” he said, pledging the Faculty’s full support and collaboration with TYBLI to ensure the initiative thrives.

The event peaked at the Department of English where the book box was officially unveiled. The Head of Department, Professor Steven David, lauded the initiative, describing it as a strategic intervention aimed at reigniting the reading culture among students.

Dr. Ben-Iheanacho further disclosed that the book box contains over 40 carefully selected titles focused on young adult literature. She urged students to not only read the books but also be inspired to become writers themselves.

“This is more than a donation—it’s a call to action,” she said, adding that NSUK is the first tertiary institution in the country to benefit from the initiative.

The event also featured an engaging session of poetry and spoken word performances by students of the department and the Secretary of TYBLI, Mr. Jerry Adesewo, which added colour and literary fervor to the occasion.