Lagos Makes Education Mandatory For Traders

By Dipo Olowookere

A passionate appeal has been made to religious organizations, traders, artisans, transport unions and others to partner with the Lagos State Government on its mass literacy programme tagged ‘Eko’nke’koo’ (Lagos is Learning).

Making the call on behalf of the state government, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, implored residents of the state to take advantage of the new programme to acquire education and improve their businesses, stressing that the present administration was committed to the programme in order to eradicate illiteracy in the state.

Speaking on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting at his office in Alausa, Mr Bank- Olemoh said it has become compulsory for any market secretary in the Central Business District to be educated, pointing out that, “you cannot call yourself a secretary if you cannot read or write.”

He later presented award of recognition and encouragement to organisations and individuals that have contributed immensely to the Adult Literacy programme in Lagos such as Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, Oke-Odo; Action Health Organisation, Ikorodu Lion Club; Mr Andrew Korede and Alhaja Folashade Usman among others.

The Special Adviser equally handed over the “EKO NKE KOO” sign board and flyers to the representatives of Iya Oloja General, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the President Automobile Mechanics, Lagos State chapter and the NURTW to publicize and creates awareness for the various Learning Centres in the state.

Also present at the meeting was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District, Mr Agboola Dabiri, who also encouraged the stakeholders to see the programme as a big opportunity to turn around their lives and businesses for the better.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr Ajibola Ariyibi, commended the stakeholders for their understanding and support for the Adult Literacy programme and assured them that they will benefit immensely from the programme.

In response, the representative of the NURTW, Mr Olusegun Spencer appreciated the government on behalf of other stakeholders for its kind gesture and promised to ensure more of their members take advantage of the programme to acquire formal education.