Larfarge begins national literacy contest

Larfarge Africa Plc has announced its 4th annual National Literacy Competition starting with regional run-offs and a grand finale in November.

Its Head, Sustainable and Corporate Brand, Mrs. Temitope Oguntokun, at a briefing in Lagos, said the contest was initiated to promote quality education and gender equality in the country.

She said, “Statistics according to UNESCO have shown that there are lots of people globally that are illiterates, 758 million adults remain illiterates and women constitute two-third of the population.

“67 million Nigerians are illiterates, which means that only 57 per cent of the population are literate. Youth literacy rate is less than 70 per cent, with urban literacy surpassing the rural at a ratio of 69.4 to 38.5 per cent,” she revealed.

“In addressing this menace, we decided to key into the vision of the Federal Government and the United Nations to improve education and reduce the rate of drop out children in Nigerian schools by starting the literacy programme,” Mrs. Oguntokun noted.

At the grand finale, which will hold in Lagos, six winners (three boys and three girls) would be awarded national prizes. Public school students between the ages of nine and13 from the 109 senatorial districts would participate in the competition, she explained.

One of the contest partners and Executive Director, Oviue Brume Foundation (OBF), Mrs. Adeola Owogbemi, said the competition had impacted immensely in schools.

“Through our assessment, we can see that schools are now incorporating study guides, our educational materials developed for the students to work with so as to achieve their dreams into their curriculum,” she said.