NAN-HE- 12
Illiteracy
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) A Statistician, Prof. Teju Jolayemi, has advised the Federal Government to address the 64 per cent illiteracy rate to enhance economic growth in the country.
Jolayemi, a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Kwara gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
He described the level of illiteracy in the country as unbearable.
“The most important thing is that the illiteracy level which is at 64 per cent must change for us to plan with statistics to achieve development.
“People cannot talk in America without quoting statistics but here some government officials believe in implementing projects without planning with statistics,’’ the don said.
Jolayemi said that developed countries had been able to achieve sustainable development with the aid of statistics.
He, however, commended the Federal Government on the new policy of making Mathematics compulsory for admission into the universities.
“I am happy to say English and Mathematics are compulsory to gain admission into the universities now, not like before that some courses don’t require credit in Mathematics.
“Some people will get admission to study some art courses and they will say they don’t need Mathematics, but when they give them salary, they will not say they don’t need it.
“Is the salary not Mathematics and so we must change our illiteracy level,’’ he said.
The don also advised the government to address the increasing population by formulating policies that would address the growth rate.
According to him, growth in any community is influenced by fertility, death and migration.
“Growth is majorly influenced by fertility; it is our fertility that we should focus on because people are not coming in to settle in the country.
“Our population will double in 17 and half years (2033) with the 3.5 per cent growth rate now.’’
He also advised the government to invest in the key sectors of the economy to revive the country from recession.
“First, the government should revive the manufacturing sector, invest in agriculture and also there should be investment in electricity.
“They are key sectors that are needed for the economy to be revived; those in the sectors need capital but the two digits interest rate is too high for them to get loans,’’ the don said. (NAN)
CIA/EEE
=======
Edited by Ese E. Ekama
====