Lagos 95% literacy target not negotiable -Ambode’s aide
As 42-year-old wins 2017 quiz contest
The Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, on Thursday, reaffirmed the state government’s determination to meet the 95 per cent literacy target deadline by 2019.
He gave the assurance at the 2017 Adult Learners’ Quiz Competition organised by the Agency for Mass Education for adult learners in the state. It is an annual event to test the knowledge and understanding of the participants of the scheme on what they are taught and reward those outstanding among them and consequently encourage illiterate others to key into the programme.
About 30,000 people participated in the programme this year against 20,000 of that of last year when the literacy level was at 87%.
A 42-year-old petty trader, Mrs. Hassanat Amodu, from Apapa Local Government area emerged the winner of the English speaking class category while Mrs. Wosilat Abayomi won the Yoruba speaking class.
They defeated nine other contestants in respective category that made it to the finals of the competition held at the Alausa secretariat..
Speaking further, Bank-Olemoh, represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Dr Shamsudeen Allison, said the state government was serious about increasing the literacy level from 87% it was last year and consequently pursuing it aggressively by coming up with new ideas and innovations towards its realisation.
He noted that part of the ideas was the establishment of study centres in market places, mechanic villages, churches and mosques as well as other places that near and accessible to learners.
“We don’t want to give room for people to give excuse why they cannot enrol for adult literacy class anywhere within the state,” he said.
He added that radio and other agents of mass media were equally deplored and intensified for enlightenment campaigns for the scheme.
Lagos, according to him is a good model for other states of the federation and will continue to perform that leading role not only in education but also in other sectors of the economy.
He however appealed to residents of the state who are still illiterate to take advantage of the flexibility of the scheme to enrol, saying the benefits are enormous..
In her remark, the Director of the agency in charge of the scheme, Mrs. Oluwakemi Kalesanwo congratulated all the contestants, saying they were all winners.
She however asked them to ensure to make good use of the knowledge imparted on them in the last one year they have started the programme.
Kingsley Chukwuka, Jos
