UNESCO to educate 60,000 girls, women in Rivers, FCT

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said it would educate 60,000 out-of-school girls and women in Rivers and the FCT in three years.

Dr Safiya Muhammad, Coordinator, Procter and Gamble Project, UNESCO, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while signing a partnership agreement with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Muhammad explained that the partnership was targeted at providing girls and women literacy in the two pilot areas.

She said that 20,000 girls and women would be educated annually within the three-year-old period.

Muhammad said the professional competence of the Agency would complement UNESCO’s efforts to achieve the goals of the project.

“This partnership would encourage girls and women to be literate including those outside the target group.

“We are looking for adult and girls who have been dropped out of schools, girls who are in formal schools; but are lacking behind, and adult women who have not been to schools,’’ she said.

The coordinator said they would have the privilege of having knowledge in the use of ICT devices on their mobile phone, I-Pad, Laptops or televisions.

“Since the emphasis is on the use of ICT, if there educational programmes on the television or on the radio or even on mobile devices; even those not inside the class room will learn.

“We believe that it would help the girl-child and women immensely; both those within and outside the educational system,’’ she said.

According to Muhammad, indicators show that women constitute the highest number of Nigeria’s illiterate population and that is why the organisation is focusing on the group.

“We want have an enlightened nation that would have more educated men and women.

“Women need to be more educated as it is said that if you educate a woman; you educate the society,’’ she noted.

Responding, Mr Ima Niboro, the Managing Director, NAN, said the key to unlocking wealth was education.

“Once you train a child; you have set for him a path to tow in carving out his future.

“Violence, terrorism and social vices challenging our society would be adequately addressed by tackling the educational challenges in our society; that is why education is very important.

“Girl child education is one of such major challenges in the country; I assure you that we would put all editorial resources within NAN’s power to support this project,’’ Niboro said.