By Fred Doc Nwaozor
Today, Friday September 8, the world over is commemorating the 2017
edition of the International Literacy Day as stipulated by the United Nations
(UN). It is a day that calls for the promotion of literacy at all levels in
order to totally eradicate the lingering dangers of illiteracy across the
globe.
Taking cognizance of the fact that over 775 million adults in the world
lack minimum education, coupled with the acknowledgement of the real dangers of
illiteracy in any society, the commemoration of the International Literacy Day
came into existence on November 17, 1965 by the effort of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It was first
celebrated in 1966. The aim of adopting the initiative was to highlight the
importance of literacy to individuals and the international community at large,
as well as to raise public awareness on the extraordinary value of the written
words and the necessity to promote a literate society.
Literacy, according to BBC English Dictionary, is ‘the ability to read
and write’. Over the years, there have been several definitions of literacy by
various schools of thought. In some quarters, it is described as a fundamental
right and a foundation for lifetime learning, better well-being and
livelihoods.
Surely, literacy is a driver for sustainable
and inclusive development; it’s a tool for personal empowerment and a means for
social and human development; it is equally an instrument of empowerment to
improve one’s health, income and his/her relationship with the world. Literacy
is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for alleviating
poverty, eradicating child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving
gender equality, as well as ensuring sustainable development, peace and
functional democracy. Hence, educational opportunities and other academic
prowess depend solely on literacy.
The truth remains that, we need to be able to read and write in order to
get through our basic daily tasks or activities, such as writing a shopping
list, gaining admission into any school, and securing a job opportunity. No
doubt, literacy opens up a window of opportunities to every one of us; and it
is very essential to our individual and national developments. Since it is only
a literate community otherwise known as a ‘dynamic community’ that has the
ability to exchange ideas and engage in debate, there’s no gain reiterating
that literacy is the only tool that can guarantee a healthy and hearty living,
and an encouraging development among mankind.
Illiteracy, however, is an obstacle to a better quality of life. As a
societal cankerworm, it has yielded several uncalled and inconsequential
stigmatizations among humanity, both in the past and present, thereby leading
to series of unimaginable and uncontrollable violence.
Undoubtedly, several people in the world have derailed in their
respective pursuits owing to illiteracy. An illiterate person, whom is
considered as a vulnerable being, is exposed to numerous maltreatments or
abuses, including humiliation, stigmatization, molestation, intimidation,
extortion, drug abuse, just to mention but a few. The dangers of illiteracy
cannot be overemphasized; it has led to several social, economic, cultural,
religious, and political mayhems at various levels of human endeavours.
Unequivocally, illiteracy has subjected humanity to uncountable vices, and has
remained the major cause of the increasing rate of abject poverty as well as
several severe illnesses which often result to death.
For over sixty-six (66) years, the UNESCO has worked relentlessly to
ensure that literacy remains a priority on national and international agenda
through its formal and non-formal literacy programmes worldwide. Till date, the
organization is earnestly striving towards realizing the vision of a literate world
for all, considering that no meaningful development can take place in a society
that lacks basic knowledge, or literacy.
Part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) regarding Universal
Education is aimed at ensuring that every human being, especially a child, has
the opportunity to make a better life. Unfortunately, too many children in the
world today grow up without this chance because they are denied their basic
right to even attend nursery or primary school. Lessons learnt over recent years
have shown that, meeting the goal of universal literacy calls not only for more
effective efforts but also for renewed political wills, and for doing things
differently at all levels – locally, nationally and internationally,
irrespective of the challenges that might be faced.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the commendable
annual International Literacy Day, we are expected to contribute our respective
quotas toward ensuring that everyone around us understands the essence of
having a literate society, which would go a long way to tackle the various
dangers of illiteracy that is earnestly tarnishing our socio-economic image. To
this end, in our individual and collective capacities, we must strive to
strengthen awareness on the prime essence of literacy which can only be
acquired via education.
Most importantly, the various rudimentary stakeholders such as the
families, communities, religious bodies, schools, and the mass media, are
required to use their various immunities to sensitize their members or
audience, on the inevitable impact of literacy. Moreover, governments at all
levels must as well ensure that the cost of education is subsidized to the
barest minimum to enable the poorest of the poor key into the crusade towards
tackling the lingering dangers of illiteracy. The time to act is now. Think
about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, a public affairs analyst & civil
rights
activist, is the Executive
Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
(frednwaozor@gmail.com)Hotline:-
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