Stakeholders advocate collaboration to stem illiteracy

The Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere- Ekiti in collaboration with the Reading Association of Nigeria, (RAN) Ekiti State Chapter, on September 8, 2021 joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Literacy Day.

The day, which is celebrated to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society was first celebrated in 1967.

The 2021 celebration,  according to the President, Reading Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter, Dr Graceful Ofodu,  was  aimed  at exploring “what makes technology-enabled literacy learning inclusive and meaningful to leave no one behind,” while providing the opportunity to reconceptualise future literacy and learning, within and beyond the context of the pandemic.

 She affirmed that, one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 is to ensure that all young people achieve literacy and numeracy; and that adults, who lack these skills, are given the opportunity to acquire them. This is according to the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by world leaders in September, 2015 which promotes universal access to quality education and learning.

Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, Bamidele  Olumilua  University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Professor Olufemi Adeoluwa stressed the need for Nigerian Universities to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of scholarship and ensure total commitment to research for national development.

 Professor Adeoluwa also advocated a stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the education sector to drive innovations and initiatives thereby turning the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant consequences into opportunities that would speed up educational reforms and build resilience in the University system. This, according to him, would prepare both tutors and learners to withstand such future occurrence.

High point of the event was the investiture of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adeoluwa as the Brand Ambassador of Reading Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter.