The Nation Newspaper

Tag: literacy

  • Towards 95% digital literacy by 2030

    Towards 95% digital literacy by 2030

    SIR: In today’s connected world, digital literacy is the pillar that empowers individuals, communities, and nations to handle the challenges of the digital era. It is a passport to inclusion, a catalyst for innovation, and a driver of economic growth.

    Nigeria’s aspiration to attain 95% digital literacy by 2030 underscores a profound commitment to equipping its citizens with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the digital realm. However, this journey is not devoid of hurdles which need to be addressed for the vision to be realized.

    The hurdles range from infrastructure barriers; urban-rural technology differences, educational landscape, and socio-economic factors, including the affordability of digital devices and internet services. Moreover, awareness and perceptions surrounding digital literacy require refined strategies to dispel myths and create an understanding of its transformative potential.

    In the pursuit of 95% digital literacy in Nigeria, a significant stumbling block arises from the challenges surrounding the infrastructure between urban and rural areas, contributing to an uneven distribution of digital resources. Urban centres often enjoy better connectivity and access to digital tools than their rural counterparts. Of course, the urban residents alone can’t make up 95% of the Nigerian population, which implies the rural residents must also be heavily involved.

    Not just that, also, the integration of digital literacy into the formal education system remains a challenge as well. Many educational institutions lack the necessary infrastructure, such as computers and software to facilitate meaningful digital education. In a situation where schools do have access to these resources, there is often a scarcity of updated and relevant educational content.

    Furthermore, the effective blending of digital learning into the curriculum largely depends on how skilled educators are in using these tools. Regrettably, many teachers lack the necessary training to seamlessly include digital tools in their teaching methods. The fast-paced changes in technology make this challenge even more difficult, as educators find it challenging to keep up with the latest advancements.

    Also, affordability or provision of digital tools is also one of the hurdles. The cost of digital devices, to be used to attain digital literacy, including computers and smartphones, is not something 95% of Nigerians can afford. While the digital age has ushered in a wealth of opportunities, the expense associated with acquiring computers and smartphones serves as a challenge, particularly for those in lower-income brackets.

    Yet, potential solutions involve setting up more community technology centres that come equipped with computers and internet access. These centres can offer a place for people, especially those without personal devices, with a space to improve their digital skills.

    Furthermore, exploring e-waste recycling programs can be a sustainable approach. Repurposing and redistributing refurbished devices will make digital tools to be affordable for a broader segment of the population.

    Read Also: Zenith Bank trains Premiere Academy students in financial literacy

    More so, wherever possible, the implementation of policies that subsidize the cost of digital devices for low-income individuals will be a crucial step. Government-backed initiatives or collaborations with private sector entities can help make devices more accessible.

    The last hurdle worth noting is the lack of awareness of the potential of digital literacy. The broader population do not fully comprehend the transformative potential of digital literacy. Indeed, some individuals, influenced by misconceptions, view digital literacy as irrelevant to their daily lives or too complex to grasp.

    Consequently, there is a need for national awareness campaigns, local language outreach, hands-on demonstrations, storytelling and success narratives, and collaboration with media outlets. If all of these can be done, the lack of awareness of the potential of digital literacy will definitely be solved, as a result, significant participation and improvement in acquiring digital skills will soar.

    The goal of reaching 95% proficiency by 2030 represents more than just an objective; it signifies a significant journey of transformation. This digital vision seeks to redefine Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, aiming to make digital literacy accessible to all, turning it into a tool for widespread progress rather than a limited privilege.

    • Shuaib S. Agaka (NYSC) Kano.

  • Financial literacy and national development

    Let’s think about this –the purpose of education is to prepare children for independent life as adults so that they can add value to society and in return create value for themselves and their families. In the real world, value is measured by many things, the most common of which is money. Money is the currency of the world. Yet, we all go through school with the aim of helping us become functional adults who are financially independent, but we hardly got any formal education in the habits for managing our money and finances properly. All the numeracy, language, science and arts that we study produce doctors, lawyers, engineers and politicians (just to mention a few) who are unfortunately financially illiterate with dire consequences for themselves and society at large. I believe that we haven’t even scratched the surface in getting people to be more financially literate, and this is perhaps because we have not been able to make a strong enough justification for how important financial literacy is and how it supports national development.

    Entrepreneurial development is critical to the large-scale innovation and industrialization that countries like Nigeria need. But, do not be surprised that we are lacking in this area, because our formal education systems have not incorporated financial literacy into the schools’ curriculum. You see in Europe and the Americas; young children as far back as 40 years ago were already setting up entrepreneurship and investment clubs where they were simulating a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. These subjects were taught firstly as after school programmes, but in many countries have now been mainstreamed at all levels. It is no surprise the progress they continue to make while our schools and children are at best being prepped to gather as many degrees and pass as many professional exams as possible to compete for the increasingly fewer jobs available. We cannot see that jobs are driven by entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship by financial literacy.

    Next is the impact on personal and national savings and investment and the multiplier effect this has on deepening our financial markets, providing longer term financial instruments and credit to an economy in dire need of expansion. Imagine if all the financial institutions in Nigeria were a bit more deliberate about using financial literacy as a tool for client engagement as I did some 16 years ago as a young investment banker. Not only will they meet and surpass their targets (as I did), they will also be contributing significantly to growing our national savings and investment and deepening our financial markets, with a multiplier effect for the economy and society.

    Think about all the capital destruction that takes place on account of poorly conceived and executed businesses in Nigeria. With higher levels of financial literacy, the rate of failure of small businesses will reduce significantly. Financial literacy will equip business owners especially start-ups with all the skills they need to make better and more prudent decisions regarding their personal and business finances that would increase the chances of survival as a business. But it seems everyone is so busy chasing and trying to make money that very few of us are actually sitting back to manage and plan our finances.

    Then, the issues around corruption and greed and the near-worship of money in our society. The crass materialism, conspicuous consumption in the midst of debilitating poverty and the gross ethical violations and financial impropriety that takes place in this country. If people got an education in financial literacy that included the ethics of money – the fact that money is not an end itself, but only a means to a temporal end, then perhaps all of this nonsense that is going on in our society on account of money would have been averted. Think about the Ponzi schemes, prosperity preaching, exam malpractice, vote-buying, voter-inducement, and all the shenanigans that we have seen in our financial markets in the past – all signs of a grossly financially illiterate society.

    Finally, bring it down to the workplace and the home, and the benefits of financial literacy are enormous. Consider the number of employees who are struggling from one pay day to another and the succor they could get if they were more financially astute. Imagine the man-hours we lose to under-productivity brought about by financial challenges – the endless borrowing, loan sharks and debts that families have to endure and the impact on people’s health, well-being and productivity, all because they are not financially savvy.

    What do we need? Firstly, we need to work harder on getting the financial literacy curriculum in schools from our basic to tertiary institutions. It has been in the pipeline for some time and we need to move really faster. Financial literacy is a broad subject and is not just about making money. It includes a variety of areas including the ethics of money which makes it more wholesome. Parents should find books, games and resources and start exposing their children. Finally, organizations need to realize that beyond just paying salaries each month, they need to invest in training and educating their employees on how to manage their finances better – to bolster productivity and ethical behaviour in their organizations.

     

    • Barrow FCA, is a financial literacy advocate and educator based in Abuja.

  • New film ‘Street Kid’ addresses child labour, literacy

    Nollywood has seen a high turnout of cinema movies in recent times but almost none is focused on the issue of child labour and literacy as a new movie, ‘Street Kid’ does.

    The movie which recently concluded production and is getting ready to hit the cinemas soon, according to its makers, will advocate on the need for child literacy while making a statement on child labour as well.

    The movie tells the story of a street kid who was forced to drop out of school to sell on the street and how he helped a rich kid to win a national spelling competition in our Nigerian indigenous languages.

    The ‘Street Kid’ is a film that projects the “Ooni of Ife National Schools Spelling Competition in Nigerian Indigenous Language” and helps promote the preservation of our indigenous languages and cultures.

    The stars of the movie cut across both the English genre and Yoruba genre, with the likes of Chioma Akpotha, Kalu Ikeagwu, Toyin Abraham, Jibola Dabo, Rachel Oniga, Patrick Doyle, Femi Durojaiye and others. The movie was directed by Tony Dudu, produced by Wale Muraina and Executive Produced by Dickson Edward.

    “Street Kid is not your regular movie and that is obvious in the kind of story we choose to tell,” said Muraina as he talked of the revolutionary nature of the movie.

    “It was not about financial returns for us but about bringing to the front page of discussion issues that pertains to child labour and literacy for the child. Education is a fundamental human right of every child but we have seen a consistent decline in the number of children in school. A certain report even indicated that we have the largest number of out of school children in the world. This is sad and terrible and this is why we believe our movie, Street Kid will drive the necessary discussions we need to have in order to find lasting solutions to these problems.

    “We are calling on everyone to come out as soon as the movie gets to the cinemas, see the movie and start a discussion from there. Let’s stop child labour and get every child into school.”

    The ‘Street Kid’ movie has enjoyed support from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and will be in cinemas nationwide soon.

  • Defence chief advises military officers on financial literacy

    Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, has called on military officers to embrace financial literacy and save for retirement.

    He spoke during a three-day workshop conducted for the Nigerian Armed Forces by ABO Services and Konsult, an investment and personal finance training company. The training titled: ‘Impact of Financial Literacy on Successful Retirement Planning and Wealth Creation’, was held at the Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

    Olonisakin, who was represented by the Director of Veteran Affairs Division, Maj-Gen. Edmond Obi, said the workshop was necessary to train officers on how to navigate the financial challenges they might experience when they are no longer on regular salary incomes, adding that it would help them to be financially organised and appreciate their jobs better.

    He attributed the hardship faced by many retired officers to “poor or lack of proper planning while in active service” and called on officers to embrace proper financial management skills from the early days of their careers.”

    He added: “The aim of the workshop is to educate officers and men of the armed forces on the significance of financial literacy with a view to preparing them for a successful retirement life. It has been discovered that lack of financial literacy is one of the major reasons there is wide economic disparity in the country.

    “It is believed that, in addition to the vocational and professional skills that are taught in training institutions, money skills, which can only be acquired through financial education, must be taught to fully equip individuals for retirement.”

    Managing Director of ABO, Abimbola Olanrewaju, said financial literacy was necessary for all categories of employees and professionals. He said financial literacy skills would help individuals to have blissful retirement.

  • 9mobile promotes literacy through film

    9mobile promotes literacy through film

    Nigeria’s telecommunications company, 9mobile, has produced a short film, aimed at fighting illiteracy.

    Entitled ‘Closed’, the film which has been aired on DSTV, is, according to 9mobile Vice President Marketing, Adebisi Idowu, in furtherance of its commitment to promoting education and raising the level of literacy across the country.

    The film tells the story of a young man – Juwon, an illiterate but skillful welder, who is cut off from the world around him and unable to appreciate a precious gift he holds just because he cannot read. But as the story unfolds, viewers step into his world, cheering him on as he overcomes the taunts of primary school pupils to learn the rudiments of the English language, until he eventually conquers this challenge in a dramatic way, and acquires the ability to read.

    ‘Closed’ which was premiered at the grand finale and award ceremony of the 2016 edition of the 9mobile Prize for Literature, points to the power of words and how they unlock meaning for people who can read.

    Idowu said: “The film is produced as part of the footprint of its flagship pan-African literary prize and it seeks to raise awareness of illiteracy as a huge societal problem, as well as inspire collective positive action to stem it.  The production and airing of the short film also further affirms 9mobile’s unwavering commitment to innovation in solving social problems, one of which is low literacy as affirmed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which estimated that over 65 million people in Nigeria are illiterates.”

    The film won four awards – three Gold and a Bronze – at the 12th Annual Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Awards held recently.

     

  • LABAF 2017: Campaign for literacy, human development

    LABAF 2017: Campaign for literacy, human development

    The 19th edition of the Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF) focusing on the theme: Eruptions: Global Fractures and Collective Humanism, began on Monday and will run till  Sunday at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

    The pre-festival events started on November 6, climaxing today at various venues, while the main festival is between November 9 and 12.

    Explaining the theme, the programme directorate of the festival, said: “The theme is primarily inspired by the convulsions in the global political and economic space; the sort of angst that’s led to the emergence of Donald Trump and now upsurge of the ‘supremacist’ and rightists’ movements in the United States; the decision by 17.4million British voters to leave the European Union; the siege on Europe by Islamic militias; the crises in the Middle-East, which have led to millions of refugees besieging Europe; the resurgence of ‘separatist’ rhetoric from some youths in different regions of Nigeria etc. We wish to examine the implications of all these actions on the fundamental rights and privileges of affected people; and in general, our collective humanity”.

    The2017 festival is”dedicated to the Poet laureate, Prof Niyi Osundare, stated Toyin Akinosho, secretary general of the Committee for Relevant Art, CORA, promoters of the festival. He described Osundare as a “true national and cultural icon,” who has influenced generations of younger poets and writers, helping them to find their voice and developing their own styles. The 18th edition was dedicated to the dramatist, Prof Femi Osofisan, who, as Festival Special Guest of Honour was present at all the sessions of the festival that started in 1999 as a “literacy and human capital development campaign.”

    The festival will also honour some icons in the Nigeria culture and creative industry sector, who clock landmark birthday anniversary (usually those just attaining the milestone ages of 80s, 70s and 60s) in the course of the year.

    Programme chair of CORA, and Curator of the festival, Jahman Anikulapo, said, “as it is traditional with the CORA,in deciding our theme for every edition, we always look at most cogent development in global political and cultural circuit and try to weigh in on the effects of such on the condition of our collective humanity. This year we have resolved to look at emergent strange tendencies in world politics that is rapturing political establishments; for instance, Brexit in the UK; the emergence of an extremist like Donald Trump as president of the bastion of democracy, the United States. And we already have warnings that some parts of Europe could also have their own Trump-like character emerging as leader! These developments obviously have grave implications for our shared humanity and the spirit of free interactions among various peoples of the world. You could see such effects in the demonisation of the Syrian refugees by some political leaders in Europe; and continuous threats from Mr Trump to segregate and profile people who are not of his skin colour and racial convictions.”

    Anikulapo said the central programme team of the CORA is assembling publications, authors visual arts contents that treat issues around the theme.

    About 25 publications have been identified as the books of the festival, and will feature in the various readings, reviews, conversations, discussions sessions that will feature in the week-long festival.

    He stated, however, that at the festival, book rather than the writer is usually the determinant of the direction of programming. “The book is the Megastar at our ‘fiesta of Ideas and Life’, after all the writer is only as Big as the idea contained in his or her work, he declared, while thanking the festival guests, patrons, volunteers, “whose various contributions have always made every edition a rounded success”.

  • UNIDO upgrades MSMEs’ financial literacy

    UNIDO upgrades MSMEs’ financial literacy

    The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO’s) Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) in Nigeria, in partnership with government institutions and the private sector, has commenced the upgrade of the financial literacy of Nigerian entrepreneurs, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), women and youths.

    The programme is in response to United Nation (UN)’s call on UNIDO to develop, operationalise and lead the implementation of the programme for the UN’s Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III), which reaffirms the importance of industrialisation in supporting Africa’s own efforts towards sustained, inclusive economic growth and accelerated development.

    UNIDO was invited to foster partnerships and build joint initiatives in favour of industrialisation. Consequently, the UNIDO ITPO Nigeria has, in recent weeks, held a number of workshops on the use of UNIDO tools and methodologies for the preparation and appraisal of investment projects, both with the private sector and government agencies. A statement by UNIDO ITPO Nigeria’s Adebisi Olumodimu said the aim of the workshops was to help Nigeria prepare for the IDDA 111 at the grassroots level.

    According to the statement, five workshops were organised across Nigeria – one in Lagos in partnership with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). The second workshop was in Kano in partnership with Kano State Government and the Office of the Special Advisor to the President on Youth and Student Affairs. Three of the workshops were in Abuja in partnership with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, among others.

    Olumodimu explained that governments, financial institutions and entrepreneurs require properly prepared feasibility studies in order to make sound investment decisions, adding that from the perspective of entrepreneurs, the most important factor was that they are “bank-ready.”

    “Many Nigerian start-ups do not survive because they cannot cope with the financial aspects of business. The problem of financial literacy affects a range of actors, starting with university graduates, who cannot find jobs, to existing MSMEs, which cannot find the resources to grow,” the statement said.

  • ‘Why we need improved literacy for adults’

    Wife of the Governor of Benue State, Dr Eunice Erdoo Ortom, has promised to partner with the Benue State Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education (ANFEA), towards ensuring literacy for adults in the state.

    Dr Ortom, who stated this during a courtesy call on her by the agency at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi, said the agency’s mandate to ensure literacy for all coincides with one of the cardinal points of her foundation, Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF), which is anchored on education, health and empowerment with special emphasis on agriculture.

    She acknowledged the importance of education in the society and assured that her office would work in partnership with ANFEA with a view to providing more effective and efficient education for adults, especially women in the state.

    According to her, the more literate a society is, the more developed it would be. she noted that the older generation that could not have access to education in their prime age should  be supported to acquire same.

    Earlier in her address, Executive Director of ANFEA, Mrs. Hembadoon Orkeghen, while soliciting for partnership with ESLF, said the main vision of the agency was to eradicate illiteracy among youths and adults who for one reason or the other could not have access to formal education.

    She identified programmes undertaken by the agency to include basic literacy, post literacy, women education programme, as well as continuing and vocational education.

    Orkeghen listed challenges confronting ANFEA to include shortage of instructional materials, lack of vehicles for monitoring of their programmes, mobilising rural dwellers for the programmes and inadequate personnel/facilitators, among others.

    Earlier in her remarks, Chair of BENGONET Rural Development Initiative, Mrs. Rachael Ityonzughul, said the coalition comprised over 100 member organisations and was established to undertake advocacy in the areas of policy influencing and monitoring of the implementation of people-oriented programmes.

     

  • Union Bank promotes financial literacy among youths

    Union Bank promotes financial literacy among youths

    Executives of Union Bank has  celebrated Financial Literacy Day by teaching students across Nigeria about the merits of saving.

    Its CEO, Emeka Emuwa; Executive Director, Commercial Banking; Emeka Okonkwo, Head, Group Corporate Strategy, Lola Cardoso, Head of Human Resources, Miyen Swomen and over 50 other workers visited 30 schools across six states including St. Johns College, Jos and Government Science School, Kuru, Plateau State.

    Financial Literacy Day is a part of Global Money Week, an annual worldwide celebration set aside in March for youths to learn about money, saving, creating livelihoods and becoming financially literate as a whole.

    The theme for this year was Learn, Earn and Save. Union Bank employees spent the day with over 3000 primary and secondary students from 30 schools in all the six geo-political zones across the nation, providing them with the basics of financial education, and empowering them to be prudent from a young age.

    During his interactive session with students of St. John’s College, Jos, Plateau State, Emuwa taught the students how careful money management will help them gain financial freedom, and prepare them for the future. He encouraged them to start making the right financial decisions now so they could build their understanding of how to earn, save and invest money.

    He said: “One of the benefits of this program is that children are becoming more financially literate. Financial education in schools will empower them to make sound financial decisions in future. School children will also pass the knowledge gained to their family and friends”.

    To the students he said “You must remain focused on your goals and work towards achieving them. Goals have to be SMART- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. Stay focused in school and develops as many critical skills as possible. Keep learning and stay curious always” he concluded.

  • Accenture, Code.org partner on coding literacy

    Accenture is teaming with Code.org to support global participation in Hour of Code, one of the world’s largest educational events, designed to prove anyone can learn the basics of coding, have fun doing it, and continue learning beyond one hour.

    Thousands of Accenture employees around the world have pledged to complete nearly 8,000 Hours of Code during Computer Science Education Week.

    This number is expected to grow as Accenture employees commit to an Hour of Code and volunteer to work with teachers and Code.org to help students learn the basics of computer science at local schools and events through fun, game-like online lessons.

    Organised by Code.org, the Hour of Code brings together more than 350 partner organisations and students around the world. The campaign culminates with a massive coding event with 191,000 registered events.

    The goal of the grassroots movement is to empower every student to learn computer science. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path

    “We are aligned with Code.org’s mission and vision that exposure to coding is important to the success of every student, regardless of what field they choose to pursue,” said Paul Daugherty, Accenture’s chief technology officer.

    “We must all do more to encourage greater interest in computer science in schools, especially for girls and underrepresented students of color. Armed with coding skills they develop throughout their academic careers, students will be much better prepared to fill key roles in the digital businesses of the future. I am impressed with the passion and energy that our Accenture people are showing in their commitment to this important cause.”

    “The need for people with STEM skills has never been greater,” said Roxanne Taylor, Accenture’s chief marketing and communications officer.

    “By 2020, there will be 1.2 million jobs requiring computer-related skills in the U.S. alone. Yet, the pipeline of graduates with technology skills is lacking, especially among women. Code.org is helping to reverse this trend by addressing the issue early in the education cycle. We need to get young people excited about computer science long before they enter college. Hour of Code is an amazing campaign that does just that.”