From Peter Aware, Jos
A Non-Governmental Organization, NGO known as Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services has called for the liberation of Young and Adult citizens from the shackles and menace of the high rate of illiteracy in Plateau state.
The Organization was at the state House of Assembly in Jos on advocacy visit to the house of Assembly to partner and eradicate the illiteracy rate into single digit.
Leader of the organization, Barrister Timothy Baba Parlong said the organization was inaugurated in 1994 in all the 36 states including the FCT. The aims of the organization are to ensure citizens can write and speak at least two Languages as well as to also assist Nigeria achieved its target on literacy level.
According to Parlong, the organization has been partnering with various agencies to achieve her goals. Literacy is one of key components of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Goal four is to ensure all young children and adults who didn’t have the opportunity to go to school.
The theme for this year’s International Literacy day is Multilingualism. Nigeria is one of the multi lingual nations of the world with languages from four hundred and fifty to five hundred and five Ethnic groups. Plateau state alone with over fifty ethnic groups. These languages should be used as assets. As a multi lingual, someone can use it for easy communication, helps in income generation, building bridges, self-identity.
Barrister Parlong further stressed that Plateau state illiteracy level in 2012, according to National Bureau of Statistic was 59 percent and in the recent times, research has also shown that, the rate of illiteracy has been on the increase due to crises and attacks. He further decried the negligence by the stake holders which increase the social services such as attacks and burning of schools, cultism, kidnappings etc.
In his remark, the speaker of the state house of Assembly, RT.Hon. Nuhu Abok Ayuba, said the illiteracy rate in the society is alarming in the country and thank the NGO for reducing the rate in Plateau state. The government of Plateau state is trying her best to reduce the rate of illiteracy by putting structures at the primary school level and the state government will partner with NOGALSS to fight the menace which has reduced the economic level of the country.
