The Non-Governmental Association for Literary Support Services (NOGALSS) on Sunday advised the Federal Government to improve funding of the education sector to reduce illiteracy level in the society.
Dr Adeshina Olojede, Chairman, Niger NOGALSS, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Minna on the sideline of Literacy Day with the theme, ”Literacy and Multilingualism”.
Olojede, who is also a lecturer, Department of Adult Education, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, said there was a need for better funding of the education sector to help rid the society of illiteracy and other vices.
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“We want the government to recognise that education in all spheres of life, particularly adult and non-formal education, is a veritable tool to help eradicate poverty and other vices from the society,” he said.
The NOGALSS chairman said that if the government should increase budgetary allocation to the education sector, the citizens would also develop.
“NOGALLS cannot afford to do everything on its own, we need government support to work and promote mass literacy of the citizens across the States. There is a need to sensitise people.
” Many of our programmes involve radio jingles and logistics. We incur debt during campaigns and sensitisations, we need fund,” he said.
Olojede said that illiteracy contributed to many challenges bedevilling the nation and if checked would reduce poverty and develop the nation.
NAN reports that the literacy day was aimed at reminding the international community of its importance for individuals, communities and societies, and the need to intensify efforts toward more literacy in the society.