Nigeria has about 40million illiterates, PS reveals

The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education, Mr.Alexander Ukubeyinje says there are about 40million illiterates in Nigeria.

Mr.Ukubeyinje who made the disclosure in Warri during a courtesy visit to Warri South Council Secretariat in continuation of his visit to the 25 local government areas in Delta State, noted that Deltawith approximately 765,567 illiterates is among states in the country with the lowest illiteracy rate.

While stressing that the deadline for eradication of illiteracy as a project by the United Nations is 2013, Mr. Ukubeyinje added that Nigeria has placed 2015 as its yearof achieving zero percent illiteracy.

According to him, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education,NMEC, is in the process of converting the 40 million illiterates by producing 10million literates annually. He averred that Delta Statewants to meet up with the target by turning out about 200,000 literates annually.

While calling on authorities of Warri South local government council to place high premium on the fight against illiteracy in its 2012 budget, Mr. Ukubeyinje enjoined all local government councils to “open as many literacy centres as possible in all communities”. He commended Warri South council for tackling illiteracy via its functional vocational centre and advised it to focus its attention on riverine communities such as Ode-Itsekiri, Obodo, Omadino, Ifieand Ubeji.

Mr.Ukubeyinje revealed that his agency is finalizing plans that will see graduates from its vocational centres access “some micro credit scheme” so as to enablethem purchase equipments for their take off.

The Warri South council Head of Personnel Management, Mr. James Kolo earlier in his remark congratulated Mr. Ukubeyinje on his appointment and described the state government’s resolve to tackle illiteracy as commendable. Mr. James Kolo who was flanked by the Head of Education department, Mr. Erhuero Oye Nero as wellas other HODs later led the Permanent Secretary and his team to the council’s vocational centre where some people are being trained in bead making, hair dressing and catering.

A Director in the Agency, Mrs. J. Akinmoywa as well as Mr. E. Gegere accompanied Mr.Ukubeyinje to Warri South Council.

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