18th September, 2017
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Admau, has urged all stakeholders in the education sector to complement Federal Government’s efforts in the fight against illiteracy in the country.
Adamu made this call during the 2017 International Literacy Day Celebration in collaboration with UNESCO in Abuja on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Sonny Echono,
He said that different official estimates put youth and adult illiteracy levels in Nigeria at about 63 million, adding that over 11.5 million children were out of school.
According to him, 750 million adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills; some 264 million children and youths are also not benefiting from education.
He said that in the modern world, however, illiteracy remained a big social and cultural problem, one that could also hinder the economic development of society.
“The success of literacy programmes requires raising awareness, based on the mobilisation and joint work and coordination of all stakeholders.
“Developing, sustaining and enhancing literacy skills are lifelong and community-wide endeavour, requiring a strong commitment from the society as a whole.
“I therefore, urge all stakeholders, including the press, to make a difference by complementing government’s efforts in the fight against illiteracy in our various schedules, homes, families and immediate communities.’’
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The minister said measures and concerted actions were being developed by the present administration to revitalise the non- formal education by addressing the challenges of mass illiteracy and the problem of out of school children.
He said these efforts would assist in innumerable ways to help Nigerians possess the requisite knowledge, skills, capacities and confidence that they need to shape a more stable and thriving future.
Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO, in her remarks, said collective action was needed to create and seize new opportunities to take forward SDG Goal 4 on Education and lifelong learning for all.
Bokova, represented by Mr Saidou Jallow, Education Specialist, UNESCO, stressed that partnership between governments, civil society and the private sector was essential to promote literacy in a digital world.
She said that international surveys showed that a large share of adult and youth populations all over the world were inadequately equipped with the basic digital skills required to function fully in today’s societies and workplace.’