Kwara to partner Unilorin on adults literacy centre
The Kwara State Government said it is ready to partner with the University of Ilorin Adults Literacy Centre in its bid to reduce the level of illiteracy in the state.
Mallam Saka Yusuf, the executive director of the Agency for Mass Education, while giving the assurance at the inaugural ceremony of the literacy centre at the University of Ilorin Mini Campus, reiterated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq’s prioritisation of literacy and skills acquisition, assured the University of the robust collaboration of the State government.
Mallam Saka, while lauding the State Government for supporting Adults Education, thanked the management of the University for the initiative, urging the learners to stay committed as the knowledge gained at the literacy centre would not only assist them in their daily lives but also make them see the world in a different version.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Rotimi Olusanya Arise, described the establishment of the Adults Literacy Centre by the University’s Institute of Education as a beacon of hope and a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
He said, “Literacy is not merely the ability to read and write; it is the cornerstone of personal empowerment and critical thinking for individuals to navigate the complexities of modern life.”
In her goodwill message, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Education on the Governing Council, Mrs Abosede Juwon Olayiwola, said the centre was established to address the literacy gap with a view to meeting the needs of adults and youths within the University community and its environment.
Mrs Juwon explained that the national policy on education describes adults’ literacy as the equivalent of basic education given to adults, children, and youths of formal school age outside the formal school system.
Also speaking, the Director of the Institute of Education, Prof. AbdulRaheem Yusuf, described education as the most powerful tool for personal and societal transformation. This programme embodies that ideal, providing an avenue for staff members without the opportunity for the formal school to acquire essential literacy and numeracy skills to enhance their capacity and contribute meaningfully to the University’s mission and beyond.
Prof. AbdulRaheem commended the courage and determination of learners for embracing the educational journey, adding that it would not only transform their lives but also serve as inspiration to others, urging all the stakeholders to remain committed to the centre’s success.
