The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is ramping up efforts to deepen civic and political education as critical areas of mass literacy necessary for the realization of Nigeria’s potentials.
Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari stated this while receiving the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC), Prof. Simon Ibor Akpama in his office. Abari argued that no democratic society can realize its potentials outside an informed citizenry, adding that lack of civic education contributes to the socio-economic challenges of the nation, including insecurity and the sad loss of value for human lives. He said the Nigerian citizenry is very docile and needs to be aware of its responsibility in electing responsible, effective and visionary leaders at all levels to address the nation’s challenges.
The NOA Director General said his Agency and NMEC will design new sets of mass literacy programs with greater concentration on women who constitute more than 62 percent of Nigeria’s population, describing NMEC as a long standing ally of NOA in the business of mass literacy and enlightenment.
Earlier, the NMEC Executive Secretary, said the Commission requires the support of all stakeholders in building the capacity of relevant institutions to deliver literacy and life-skills to Nigerians. This, he said, was crucial to evolving a learning society that Nigeria requires to actualize its vision of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. He expressed confidence that a sustained partnership with NOA on public awareness would help enlighten and mobilize the general public to key into non-formal education, thereby helping to unlock and actualize their full potentials.
Paul Odenyi
Assistant Director, Press