Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday launched an adult education programme tagged ‘Lagos is Learning (Èkó ńkẹ kòó)’, a move he said was in line with his administration’s commitment to combat the illiteracy level in the state.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the launch of the programme, held at the Police College, Ikeja, said the target was to raise the literacy level in the state from 85 per cent to 100 per cent within the next three years.
To achieve this, the governor said the adult education centres in the state would be increased from 522 to 1000, while additional 1000 teachers would be engaged, adding that the programme would be free of charge for participants so as to accommodate more people.
Ambode, who was represented at the launch by the Deputy Governor, Oluranti Adebule, said the number of illiterate persons in the state was not consistent with his vision to make Lagos Africa’s model mega city, hence the need to address the situation.
He said, “In Lagos, research also shows that 13 per cent of the population, meaning about three million persons, are illiterates. This level of illiteracy is unacceptable. The high population of illiterate people is not consistent with our vision to become Africa’s model mega city because illiterate person lack basic literacy, numeracy and essential skills which makes them more vulnerable to activities of criminals and they can easily be lured into anti social groups.
“Basic literacy is essential for economic empowerment and to understand and follow simple instruction in the areas of health, transportation, safety and others. Today, we are launching this Eko Nke Ekoo project with the objectives of kicking illiteracy out of Lagos. Our goal is to achieve 100 percent literacy for all Lagosians. Towards this end, we plan to increase the number of basic and post literacy centers from the current 532 to 1,000. We will also engage additional 1,000 facilitators who will be trained in basic skills and techniques in the teaching of adult education.”
The literacy centres, according to the governor, would offer courses including education, fashion designing, soap making, hair dressing and bead making, among others.
