Poverty Eradication: Ogun launches literacy through economic empowerment strategy

The Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in conjunction with the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, has launched the Literacy Through Economic Empowerment Strategy to eradicate poverty among the citizens.

Speaking in Abeokuta during the flag-off of the programme, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu hinted that the programme would provide opportunities for the adults who faced barriers to education with tools they need for self and harnesses skills for economic empowerment.

Prof. Arigbabu, in a statement noted that literacy for all is an integral part of education for all, and both were critical for achieving sustainable development, adding that it was the road to human progress and the means through which every man can realise their full potential.

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He said, “One of the greatest things that could be done to help others is not just to share and give what you have, but to help them discover what they have within themselves to help themselves”.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye stated that the present administration recognised the immense importance of literacy and uneducated individuals constitute a drawback in its quest for the implementation of the change agenda, hence the need to engage in Mass Literacy for desired development.

In their goodwill messages, the Chairman and Executive Secretary, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi and Dr. Mickail Lawal respectively, emphasised that “Nigeria is going more digital, more literacy” hence the need to replicate that in Ogun State, in order to take the educational system to a greater height.

Underscoring the purpose of the event, the Acting Director, Department of Vocational Skills and Continuing Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Nnenna Ejieji noted that the empowerment strategy was to drive people out of poverty, saying people would be empowered with tools on garment making, beauty, cosmetology and catering.