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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
In a bold move to combat the growing menace of illiteracy and build Nigeria’s next generation of transformational leaders, the Ikeja Metro Leos Club has teamed up with leading organizations to launch an ambitious literacy and leadership development campaign for young Nigerians.
The nationwide initiative, which took off with a high-energy symposium at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, seeks to inspire thousands of students to embrace education as a pathway to success and social transformation.
The colourful event brought together over 200 secondary school students and stakeholders in commemoration of International Literacy Day, marked globally every September 8. The symposium echoed the urgent call to tackle the alarming rise in Nigeria’s out-of-school children — challenge experts warn could jeopardize the nation’s socio-economic growth.
Declaring the event open, Deputy Registrar of Yaba College of Technology, Mr. Joe Ejiofor, described the campaign as a vital movement aimed at unlocking the nation’s hidden human capital.
“This is more than just a celebration; it’s a clarion call to unlock the potentials of our youth,” Ejiofor said passionately. “Literacy is the foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, achieving gender equality, and securing Nigeria’s future. Every child deserves access to quality education, and that must be our collective priority.”
Ejiofor, who also serves as a long-standing member of the Lions Club International, with over 15 years of humanitarian service, called on government at all levels to make education free and accessible, stressing that “a literate population is the bedrock of national development.”
Speaking in the same vein, Team Leader of Velox Solution Limited, Mr. Olawuyi Shola, admonished students to resist distractions and focus on academic excellence, pledging his company’s continuous support through book donations and other educational incentives.
“Education should be affordable and of high quality,” Shola said. “When we invest in young minds, we invest in the nation’s future.”
Representing Lions International, Simon Sanya reaffirmed the organization’s long-standing commitment to advancing literacy and learning across communities. He disclosed that Lions Clubs in Nigeria have continued to support schools through the donation of educational materials, classroom renovations, and training programs.
“This year’s theme, ‘Unlocking Potentials,’ perfectly captures our mission,” Sanya stated. “Every child can achieve greatness when given the right environment to learn and thrive.”
The symposium also provided a platform to address critical issues affecting Nigeria’s education system — including insecurity, poverty, poor funding, and infrastructural decay.
