Nearly 60 million Nigerians are analphabetists and Sonny Echono, Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Education, says literacy centers will reduce the high level of analphabets in Nigeria.
Mr Echono announced that on Thursday, during the opening of the North – centralized Literacy Center, at Federal Government College Otobi.
It is with regret that the rate of analphabetism in young people and adults is high, that the level of literacy in the lower echelons of colleges is equally alarming.
He indicated that, in order to reduce the high level of analphabetism in low – ranking staff members of the institutions, the literacy centers that will be established in 104 Federal Government colleges (FGCs) are aimed at stressing that the federal government has developed the literacy programs to cover them and others in the host communities.
He said literacy was a social problem as well as a question of human rights and called on pilot students to continue and to take their studies seriously.
According to him, it is essential to fit into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG No. 4 that highlights inclusive, equitable quality training and promoting long – standing training possibilities.
He explained that the program would enable its recipients to handle life challenges through literacy and numeracy capabilities.
Stephen Ojo, a Senior Special Assistant Official to the presidency of President Muhammadu Buhari on SDGs, commended the Ministry of Education’s foresight in the design of the program and promised to provide the Ministry with technical support for its success.
He stressed that it would help build all participants ‘ capacities and skills.
The school principal, Amudipe Gabriel, praised the permanent secretary for his persistence in ensuring that the program started earnestly and made his school the hub of the area.
During an interview with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), program coordinator Abisode Olayiwola said the response from school and host community students far exceeded the educational material provided.
“We target 40 learners, but what we have was twice that number. We’re impressed by the attendance. (NAN)