Lekki Adult Literacy and Vocational Centre  held its 2023 matriculation and graduation ceremony yesterday Saturday, 4th Of November, 2023.

The event which was in conjunction with Lagos State Agency For Mass Education had representatives of the Lagos state government, the executive chairman of Iru Victoria island LCDA, Princess (Hon) Rasheedat Abiodun, trustees of the advocacy programme, guests from different walks of life in attendance.

The advocacy programme, according to the coordinator, Mr. Joe Mbulu, started in 2020 during Covid-19 era out of compassion for people who were not literates. He explained that they saw illiteracy as darkness and there was a need to give people an opportunity to experience light by being literate.

He mentioned that since the programme started, 2023 has been the most successful year and that some of the grandaunts of the advocacy programme have gone further to write WAEC, go to nursing schools, and have been doing better than they were before they joined.

‘’We saw illiteracy as blindness or darkness, We have been here three years but this has been our most successful year by the impact we made in the lives of people. Some that passed out here have gone to write WAEC and gone to nursing school; that is the impact we want to make.’’

‘’We had exams and we saw that for 2023, and about  66percent scored over 50% in literacy.Many couldn’t spell when they joined but today they can read and write.. Our vision is to restore faulty foundations. We want to address foundational issues because if we don’t, we won’t get anywhere.‘’

Speaking further, he mentioned that the theme for this year’s programme is ‘Learning For Earning’ and it is borne out of the desire to increasingly tailor learning activities towards enhancement of the earning capacity of learners. He also highlighted the plans for the programme and some of the needs to achieve the set out goals.

‘’We are trying to train them to be more productive. We are looking at how to teach, what to teach and basic tactics. We want them to understand how to do basic business.’’

‘’We want to strengthen the structure of our programme and we want to expand to other areas apart from Lekki so we need help with facilitators. We need to look into campuses in these areas and get people who are dedicated to run the same programmes. We need to establish strong partnerships with structured provisional centers.  We need a strong funding base for sponsorship, those who need startup for business.’’

The Lagos state agency for mass education represented by Mr Adelani Akinpelu expressed joy at the initiative and stressed the need to learn and earn. In his speech, he urged the grandaunts not to relent in their endeavours.

‘’Learning and earning refers to the initiative that helps to learn skills, acquire knowledge. The more you learn, the more you earn. Life changes when you continue to learn, You have experience in growth, we are able to retain our job if we learn. We spend our time doing something fruitful and there are other opportunities available if we continue learning.’’

‘’To the graduating learners, do not relent. Propagate the gospel of literacy, share your success stories, and let them people know the importance of learning’’

While speaking, the executive chairman of Iru Victoria island LCDA, Princess (Hon) Rasheedat Abiodun applauded the organizers of the advocacy programme, stating that she hasn’t witnessed anything of such in a couple of years.

She explained that her clarion call when she got into office was for individuals and organizations to support the government in making lives better for the populace which organizers of Lekki Adult Literacy And Vocational Centre have done perfectly.

In her message to the graduating learners, she urged them to continue learning because it is a continuous process.

‘’I have not seen this happen in a couple of years and today I am here to witness the graduation and matriculation. Apart from my message to the facilitators, these are thing we have been looking forward to in our local government especially in Lagos state.’’

‘’ When I assumed office, this was my clarion call to individuals and corporate bodies within the locality that the government alone cannot do these things. If you want the best for the populace, you need to think outside the box and so far, within this local government, we have experienced a lot of individuals, corporate bodies, churches, coming together to do this for the indigents. None of them is below the age of 15 and if they can at this age starting to learn, we should applaud the organizers for reaching out to the community within their locality.’’

‘’For the grandaunts, it is not the end, this is a stepping stone to a greater height. Education is a process and even as a chairman, I am still learning. I believe in education because no one can take away what you learn from you.’’

Furthermore, One of the graduating learners expressed gratitude to the organizers and volunteers of LALVC for helping her to be courageous and giving her the opportunity to be able to read well and relate with people.

‘’I want to thank God for this opportunity. Before I came here, I used to be shy; I couldn’t read well and talk to people but now, I can smile and play with people. Adult literacy has given me courage, power, and more things.’’

In the same vein, another graduating learner passionately expressed appreciation regarding the quality of education they get at the centre. He mentioned how he felt loved to be taught by kind teachers who were patient, loving, understanding and compassionate towards them.

‘’I want to thank everyone here today, it’s a dream for some of us today and God has fulfilled it. I felt love and compassion when I first came here. To teach someone who is of age isn’t an easy thing, I feel really loved. I got here three months ago and I felt I belonged here. I thank our great mummy Chika because of her approach, I see a mother in her. Some of us couldn’t express ourselves but today, we can stand in front of multitude and address them.’’

Also, some of the best students in different categories were awarded and given cash prizes.