By Lucy Osuizigbo
Lagos – Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday urged residents to utilise the state’s mass literacy programme to reduce high rate of illiteracy, crimes, and promote economic empowerment.
Ambode, represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the plea at the formal launch of a Mass Literacy Programme tagged: “Lagos is Learning (Eko nke koo)’’ in Lagos.
According to him, a statistics by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) states that about three million Lagos residents are illiterate.
“This level of illiteracy is not acceptable as it is not consistency with our vision to become Africa’s Model Mega City, because illiterate persons are more vulnerable to anti-social activities.
“We are launching this ‘Lagos is Learning project (Eko Nke Koo)’ to kick out illiteracy in Lagos, because basic literacy is essential for economic empowerment.
“I encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity. It is never too late to learn. Age is No barrier to acquire basic literacy,” the governor said.
Ambode said that the Mass Literacy Centres in the state would be increased from the current 532 to 1000 with the engagement of additional 1,000 teachers to make the programme effective.
Also, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, the Special Adviser to Ambode on Education, said that the initiative would improve the standard of living of adults without formal education and make them self-reliant and employable.
Bank-Olemoh said that the programme was also targeted at raising the level of literacy in the state from 87 per cent to 95 per cent in the next three years.
He called on the local and international non-governmental organisations to partner with the state government to achieve mandate of the programme.