Anambra State Library Board has joined their counterparts the world over to commemorate International literacy day.
The celebration which took place at Professor Kenneth Dike Central Library Awka, attracted pupils and students of primary and secondary schools in Awka and environs who showcased different presentations to mark the day.
Speaking at the event, the Director, Anambra State Library Services, Dr. Nkechi Udeze who stated that literacy is one of the critical facilities in life.
She noted that literacy makes individuals useful to themselves and the society.
Dr. Udeze said that the essence of celebrating the day with school children was to gather them together, educate them on the need for one to be literate and encourage them to be serious with their studies. According to her, literacy is the wheel that will carry them to higher pedestal in life endeavours.
Dr. Udeze explained that acquiring literacy in this century is beyond class room teaching.
She said that people can be in their homes and receive lectures since the world is a global village with the aid of Information Communication Technology ICT.
She urged them to be ICT compliant and imbibe the habit of reading to widen their knowledge and be able to contribute to the development of the society.
Fundamental rights
A keynote speaker from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Amaka Nwofor stated that the day was instituted by UNESCO in 1967 to increase awareness on the fundamental rights of people to literacy.
She noted that literacy is the hallmark of every human activity in the society as both educational, growth, health, societal development, empowerment, economy and family growth depend on literacy.
Dr. Nwofor maintained that obtaining literacy has moved from reading and writing to multi lingualism including information and communication literacy, cultural literacy and numerical literacy.
She urged stakeholders in education to increase awareness on the need to gain literacy.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces”.
Emmanuel Ukoh
