- Prof. Akpama emphasized that LEES is designed to augment NMEC’s vocational education programs, not only teaching people how to read and write but also equipping them with various skills
The Federal Government has introduced the Literacy Through Economic and Empowerment Strategy (LEES) program in the southwest with the aim of enhancing mass literacy and lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
During the launch of LEES for the Southwest at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Simon Ibor Akpama, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy and Non-Formal Education, called on state governors to support President’s renewed hope agenda.
Prof. Akpama emphasized that LEES is designed to augment NMEC’s vocational education programs, not only teaching people how to read and write but also equipping them with various skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, catering, and more, along with providing them with the necessary tools upon completing their training.
Akpama said one good way for the state government to vigorously pursue the vision of lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty as encapsulated by the present administration is to subscribe to this LEES project because of its dual role of helping to increase mass literacy while reducing poverty.
He said, “We have several programmes targeted at reducing illiteracy in the country; among these are basic literacy, post-literacy as well as vocational education programmes which are meant to equip youths and adults with entrepreneurial skills.
“The whole idea behind this LEES project is that while you are trained on how to read and write, you are also armed with vocational skills that can serve as a veritable source of livelihood and you are supported with starter packs to take off and begin to make meaningful contributions to the development of our dear nation.
“The focus of this achievement-driven government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his Agenda for Renewed Hope is to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty. This is part of what we are aligning with through the resources provided by the Federal Ministry of Education.
After these people have been trained in different skills under our vocational education programmes, we felt that if they are just trained without being equipped we might as well be aggravating further the challenge of unemployment and poverty in the country.
“So in alignment with the vision of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu, we have provided these beneficiaries with equipment for tailoring like sewing machines, we have also provided them with dryers as well as necessary equipment for catering and home economics. This is the first phase ending in Ogun State for the Southwest region.
“We have been to other other five regions too. What we however wish to achieve with this is to see the state governments replicating this initiative in their states. It is on this note that we are urging the state governors to support initiatives like this because it is in tandem with the vision of President Tinubu to reduce illiteracy and lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty”.