Association inaugurates project teams to eradicate illiteracy in Nigeria
NAN-H-107
Illiteracy
By Lizzy Okoji
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2017 (NAN) The Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS) on Thursday inaugurated its project teams to develop and initiate programmes toward eradicating illiteracy in Nigeria and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr Emmanuel Noah, National President of NOGALSS presented the members of the team to the United Nations Education and Scientific Office ( UNESCO) in Abuja.
Noah said that a country battling with a high number of illiteracy cannot attain sustainable development and so, setting up the team with the support of UNESCO was a great step towards eradicating illiteracy in Nigeria.
He said that the selection of membership of the teams were based on their skills, excellent contacts and abilities to initiate and follow up on programmes and projects to profer dynamic solutions to challenges of illiteracy in the country.
“The Programmes and project team is made up of professional members of NOGALSS, who have the capacity to initiate and develop programmes and projects, write proposals and evaluate the impacts of the programmes in communities.
“This team has come up with Resource Mobilization, Programmes and a draft of a five-year strategic plan that all members of NOGALSS must key into.
“The Resource Mobilisation team is made up of NOGALSS members that have the capacity to attract and maintain credible relationship with relevant government parastatals, corporate bodies and individual that will be beneficial to the vision of NOGALSS.
“The team is to ensure proper communication and cooperation between NOGALSS and all entities in the field of mass literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education as an official go-between with the top ranking officials to each of those entities.
“We as a bunch of broom and in collaborations with our development partners are coming together to sweep illiteracy out of Nigeria so that we can be ranked among the highest literate countries by 2030”, Noah said.
He said that all efforts must be put in place to unify all the relevant NGOs and Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) in literacy delivery in Nigeria.
He appreciated UNESCO and other partners including the Federal Ministry of Education, ActionAid among others.
Inaugurating the team, Mr Ydo Yao, UNESCO Regional Director charged members of the team to remain committed to the task ahead of them.
Yao urged them to continue to stand together which is very important to the development and efficiency of NOGALSS.
He commended NOGALSS for its vision, commitment and high sense of responsibility towards uplifting literacy in Nigeria and for championing the slogan “Step Up Inclusive Literacy” in Nigeria.
He said that the vision is in conformity with what UNESCO stands for to ensure that no one is left behind in attaining literacy.
Yao said that Nigeria as the giant of Africa has a lot of potentials and resources that needs to be tapped to support literacy.
He stressed the need to mobilise all efforts and take advantage of every opportunity to step up inclusive literacy in Nigeria.
He pledged the continuous support of UNESCO towards the development of NOGALSS.
In her remarks, Ms Aisha Babangida, representative of the Better Life Programme commended NOGALSS for its initiative in bringing NGOs together to fight illiteracy in Nigeria, especially in rural communities.
She said that this was a laudable action as positive and good impact can only be achieved when NGOs come to work together.
Babangida called on the Federal Government to support and safeguard policies and initiative of NGOs in the education sector. (NAN)
LIZ/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide