By Ademola Orunbon
Ogun State Government has identified roles being played by the Mass Literacy Education programmes towards promoting political, socio-cultural and economic advancement of the nation.
Speaking during the 2023 International Literacy Day, themed, “Promoting Literacy For A World In Transition Building: The Foundation For Sustainable And Peaceful Societies”, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said to actualise lofty national ideals, the state government had embarked on various laudable initiatives, aimed at addressing literacy rate across the state, revealing that emphasis would be placed on skill development for poverty reduction.
Arigbabu, according to the Ministry’s Press Officer, Ayoola Obadimu, called on relevant stakeholders to collaborate with government to train parents towards becoming literates, which to a large extent, would have multiplier effects, not only in motivating their children to attend formal school but also to influence their active participation in matters affecting their lives and society in general.
Arigbabu said, “It becomes necessary to create conditions that will help to facilitate effective popular participation in the establishment and running of Adult, Informal and Non-Formal Education Centres in the identified communities in Ogun State. This will in no small measure, help to promote community-based projects and as well harness the willingness of the people to undertake sacrifices and expend their social energies for the common good”.
He applauded National Mass Education Commission (NMEC), Non-Governmental Organisations and the State Agency for Mass Education for maintaining an improved mass literacy delivery in the state, saying government’s effort was visible by the prompt payment of honoraria to Adult Literacy Centres’ facilitators and establishment of more Adult Literacy Centers, as well as, resuscitation of moribund Women Education Centres across the state.
In her remarks, the Director of Education, Agency for Mass Education, Mrs. Olubunmi Oso, said literacy encompasses the capacity to acquire knowledge, access information and fully engage in social, economic and cultural activities, commending the Governor for successful hosting of the 2023 Literacy, through Economic Empowerment Strategies (LEES) for South-Western states of the country.
