OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO/GODWIN AYOBAMI RACHEL
Efforts made to eradicate illiteracy are taken to achieve peace and security in communities just as the level of development of any society depend largely on the number of it’s literate citizens.
This was disclosed by Alexander Ukubeyinje, Chairman/Founder, Adult and Youth Literacy Animateurs Initiative, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) during the Year 2020 International Mass Literacy Day Celebrations in Warri, he said that in a bid to bring in more development to Warri metropolis, his NGO is taking time out to complement the efforts of the Delta State and Federal Government’s to eradicate illiteracy in the area.
Ukubeyinje said that there is the need for the educated ones in the society to sensitize and mobilize illiterate adults and youths to be educated, he then called on adults to take advantage of the numerous adult literacy classes or centres that are in public schools, churches and some mosques nearest to them.
According to Ukubeyinje, “it is an established concept that development of society depends largely on the number of it’s citizens that are literate. Warri metropolis and it’s environs has an indigenous literacy rate of approximately 75%. This suggests that the development and urbanisation Warri enjoys today could have doubled if hypothetically everyone were literate.”
He added, “children who left school voluntarily or due to other natural causes and are now adults have discovered painfully that schooling is good. They have discovered that life in the society depends on literacy. They want to go back to school but it’s late for formal school system. They can no longer join children in the formal school classes. The Adult and Non- Formal Education system is the remedy.”
On advocacy and mobilisation, Ukubeyinje has this to say, “it is the responsibility of the learned and lettered in our communities and metropolis to pass the message to our illiterates aunties, uncles and youths, it is also the responsibility of the enlightened to trigger the youths to continue and to complete their WAEC/NECO or JSCE or Primary six courses. These can be achieved in the adult literacy classes or centres closest to them. These centres are in all public primary schools, churches and some mosques. “
He then called on community leaders, women groups, youth organizations, Community development unions and public spirited individuals to help mobilize those affected to embrace the literacy campaign.
While noting that Warri metropolis made up of Warri South, Uvwie, Udu and Okpe Local Government Ares are above average in their efforts to eradicate illiteracy, Ukubeyinje bemoaned what obtains in the riverine and rural communities.
The Chairman/Founder, Adult and Youths Literacy Animateurs Initiative further added, “notwithstanding, some homes in the riverine and rural communities live below poverty level evocating empathy. There is half-nakedness, there is famine. People sleep on bare floor(without carpets). Eradication of illiteracy is eradication of poverty.”
