Nkechinyere Ewa
The Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Adult Education and Mass Literacy, Stella Uchechi Nwagu, has urged women and other adults who missed formal education to embrace literacy programmes to enable them cope with the rapidly changing demands of society, particularly the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Nwagu made the call on Tuesday in Abakaliki to mark the 2026 World Literacy Day, with the theme, “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.”
She said literacy was no longer limited to the ability to read and write, but had become essential for understanding technological advancement, protecting the environment, improving livelihoods and contributing meaningfully to society.
According to her, the growing influence of AI and digital technology makes it imperative for people to acquire basic and functional literacy skills so that they are not left behind.
“Literacy is for the development of the people. When you are literate, you understand what is happening around you and you know the do’s and don’ts, especially when it comes to protecting our planet and our future.
“AI is coming to take over a lot of things. If you are not literate, you will not be able to follow the changing times. That is why we are asking our people, wherever they are, to embrace education, develop themselves and make the world a safer and better place,” she said.
Nwagu particularly appealed to women to take advantage of adult and mass literacy centres across the state, stressing that acquiring education would empower them to participate more effectively in their families, communities and the wider economy.
She noted that the state had created opportunities for adults to return to education through evening and weekend classes, as well as other literacy programmes designed to accommodate those who could not attend conventional schools at a younger age.
The governor’s aide also commended Governor Francis Nwifuru and his wife for their support for adult education and mass literacy programmes in the state.
She said the payment of facilitators and provision of teaching and learning materials had created a more conducive environment for learning and encouraged more adults, particularly youths and elderly persons, to return to school.
Nwagu said the administration’s commitment had contributed to improving literacy among people who were denied the opportunity of formal education earlier in life.
She called on Ebonyi residents to take advantage of the available programmes, saying education remained a powerful tool for personal development, economic prosperity and sustainable development.
She assured residents that the mass literacy programme would continue to expand its reach to ensure that no adult was left behind in the state’s development agenda.