The U.S. embassy in Nigeria is expanding its “American Corner’’ to? cover the South-east zone, Mrs Suzanne Miller, an ?Information Resource Officer ?in the mission, said on Monday in Abuja.
Miller said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that American Corner would soon be established in Enugu, bringing the total number of such facilities to 11 across the nation.
The America Corner?provides information about the U.S. to Nigerians, organises?annual summer reading programme for children.
The facilities are in Abuja, Lagos, Calabar, Kano, Bauchi, Ibadan, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Port Harcourt and Jos.
On the 2012 summer reading programme for children in Abuja, Miller said the aim was to promote the reading culture among pupils.
She said that children, drawn from primary and nursery schools in the FCT, would undergo a three-week reading and comprehension programme as well as spelling exercises.
“Reading is so important for the development of a child; reading skills can deteriorate if not practised regularly. So this way we encourage the children to read.
“We launched the programme in Abuja a couple of years ago and each year it has grown; last year, we had about 80 children, this year we double that.
“The parents see it as a valuable programme and are excited about bringing their children,’’ Miller said.
Mr Obinna Uche, whose children are participating in the summer programme, commended the American Corner for sponsoring?the programme, adding that the reading culture was fast dying in Nigeria.
“Reading, comprehension and spelling programmes like these, will go a long way in reviving?the culture,’’ he said. (NAN)