By Osiregbeme Abdullah Egbakhime
The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult Non-Formal Education, has said that the stability and economic prosperity of Nigeria depend on the nation ability to provide functional education for all citizens.
The Acting Executive Secretary, Dr. John Onimisi Edeh, stated this during the presentation of vocational skills materials/equipment to some beneficiaries in the South-South zone under its Literacy Through Economic Empowerment Strategy (LEES), an initiative of the commission, in Benin, Edo state.
Represented by the Director Vocational and Continuous Education Department, Jane Ejieji, Mr. Ede said the initiative is in tandem with the ideals and goals of the present administration desire to build a prosperous and equitable Nigeria.
He said LEES is aimed at making adult and non-formal education attractive and erase the ill-conceived notion that ot is a charade and an effort in futility.
Edeh added that the gesture is also intended to provide hands-on training that will economically empower adults and youths alike by equipping them with functional literacy and vocational skills.
“The economic empowerment here refers to entrepreneurship and management training that enables a targeted group to pursue income-generating activities. This ultimately lead to important supplementary income.
According to him,the focus of the programme is generally premised on literacy and economic empowerment of learners, as the initiative is designed to impact positively on learners employability vis-à-vis; promoting independence and increasing their chances of self-sustenance after acquiring literacy.
Edeh noted that despite the efforts being made over the years, illiteracy still remain a problem as it is further worsen by other factors.
“Times have changed, and Nigeria’s literacy challenge has taken a new dimension. Illiteracy does not seem to be receding, in spite of efforts at various levels over the years.
“The regrettable illiteracy condition is further compounded by the large number of out-of-school children, unemployed youths and adults, issues of gender inequality, regional and socio-economic impediments, poor access to education and the increasing number of schooling-without-learning children, adolescents and youth in the country.
“As our country strives to resolve its developmental challenges and compete in today’s rapidly changing society, every citizen needs to possess vast knowledge, skills and competences, including literacy, numeracy and digital competency to a proficiency level, in order to learn, adapt and participate in social, economic, cultural and civic life”, Edeh said.
On her part, the director of the agency in the state, Mrs. Ibrahim Ivory, said the beneficiaries of the programme were trained on shoe and bag making, catering, barbing, makeup artistry, fashion and hairdressing.
She advised the beneficiaries to leverage the golden opportunity availed them to improve on their standard of living and be self reliance and employers of labour.
