Sonny Echono, Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, says nearly 60 million Nigerians are
illiterates.
Echono made this known on
Thursday at the Federal Government College Otobi, during the inauguration of a
pilot Literacy Centre for the North Central Geo-Political Zone.
The permanent secretary expressed
regret that the illiteracy rate among the youths and adults was high.
According to him, Literacy
Centres to be established in 104 Federal Government Colleges (FGCs) are aimed
at reducing the high rate of illiteracy at the low cadre staff of the
institutions, stressing that the Federal Government designed the literacy
programme to cater for them and others in the host communities.
He said literacy was both a
social and human right issue and called on the learners at the pilot centre to
remain committed and take their studies with all seriousness.
According to him, the essence of
scheme was to fit into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG
number four which highlights inclusive and equitable quality education and
promotion of long learning opportunities.
He explained that the programme
would equip its beneficiaries with literacy and numeracy skills to be able
handle challenges of life.
An officer from the office of the
Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, on SDGs, Mr Stephen
Ojo, commended the foresight of the education ministry in designing the
programme and promised to provide technical support to the ministry towards its
success.
He emphasised that the scheme
would help build capacities and skills of all the participants.
The principal of the school, Mr Amudipe
Gabriel, commended the permanent secretary for his doggedness in ensuring that
the programme began in earnest and for making his school the centre in the
zone.
The Coordinator of the programme,
Mrs Abisode Olayiwola, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said
the response from learners in the school and host community far exceeded the
instructional materials made available.
“We targeted 40 learners but what
we had was twice that number, we are impressed by the turnout. We will make arrangements
for all of them.” He said.
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