The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non formal Education (NMEC) has canvassed for the support of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in helping to deepen mass literacy and non-formal adult education in Nigeria.
Executive Secretary of the NMEC, Prof Abba Abubakar Haladu dropped this hint during a courtesy visit to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta recently.
The visiting NMEC team that was received by Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner (Technical Services) at NCC on behalf of the EVC listed the beauty of mass literacy and dangers of illiteracy.
Prof. Haladu who disclosed that over 60 million adults and youth are still illiterates with 11.5 million children are out of school, called on the NCC to among other things assist NMEC in the area of capacity building of relevant staff on ICTs at the NMEC headquarters, zonal offices and States agencies and also at the learning centres established by the Commission.
He also called on the NCC to help strengthen NMEC headquarter with the necessary ICT facilities such as unlimited internet access, Desktop Computers, Inverter, Solar panels and batteries for uninterrupted power supply for the ICT facilities.
In his response, Mr. Maska who stood in for Prof. Danbatta said “it is heartwarming to note that your organisation and NCC share a common education growth objective”.
The NCC, he explained, is involved in promoting a knowledge-based economy through its intervention in both Secondary and Tertiary Institutions across the country.
Maska listed NCC’s intervention to include the Advanced Digital Awareness for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI) and Digital Awareness Program (DAP) among others.
He said himself and the EVC come from the academic background and so will be prone to the suggestions of the NMEC boss, “even though it is a big basket of demands, we will pass the information to the EVC and get back to you”, Maska added.
NCC’s Directors present at the reception for the NMEC delegation included: Mr. Tony Ojobo (Public Affairs), Mrs. Iyabo Sholanke (Research & Development), Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu (Universal Service Provision Fund) and Mr. Kehinde Oladipo (Administration).
The NMEC delegation included Mr. Ahmed Adoga, Director of Administration and General Services, Dr. Musa Gusau, Director of Literacy & Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Victoria King, Director Monitoring and Evaluation, and Dr. Matthew Onu (Director of Planning, Research and Statistics) among others.