OVIE BRUME PARLEYS WITH FCT UBEB TO RAISE LITERACY,

A non-governmental organization, OVIEN BRUME in partnership with LAFARGE was at the FCT UBE Board on Monday 18^TH July 2016 to discuss with the representatives of the North Central Zone and the Board as a whole on how to increase literacy in public primary schools and the modalities using the ‘Spelling B’, The spoke person of the group, Mrs Iwalola Akinlola said that the problem of literacy is a national one hence the need to start from the grassroots. The target age she said are children under 10-18years from low income families in public primary schools... One of the aims of the group is to therefore bridge the gap between those in public schools and their private counterparts.

 Mrs Akinlola gave a brief insight into the background of the NGO which she said started in 2003. The founder’s vision and dream is to promote literacy among children and this is dedicated to her late son, Ovie Brume.

The Director of the FCTUBEB, DR A.J Noma (mni) in his welcome address expressed his optimism of the programme and urged all to listen attentively in order to see how the Board can use it to improve the literary level of the children at the Basic Education.

 Mrs Akinlola stated that the organization which is self-financing has a resource Centre at the Victoria Island Lagos whose activities revolve round literacy. Some facilities at the Centre include Art room, ICT and reference library where children basically from public schools come to acquaint themselves with knowledge. She explained that the NGO has trained volunteers who go out to read with the children.

Mrs Akinlola said that LAFARGE African literary competition will be held in 6 geo political zones in Nigeria starting with the local Competition. The regional competition according to her comes up 25th October while the national takes place in Nov.2016. The regional competition she said will feature essay, writing and spelling ‘B’

She also informed the representatives of the states that LAFARGE has a manual of guide to help children develop a standard for pronunciation. Mrs Akinlola while responding to questions   why the ‘Spelling B’ is not extended to those in the Junior Secondary school segment explained that primary education is the most important in laying foundation for literacy. She maintained that when we get it right in primary school we can build it right in secondary schools.

Explaining the criteria for eligibility for the competition, Mrs Akinlola said the participants must be from public primary schools, the participants must be in primary 5. They must also come with attendance register bearing his name and must have a letter from Education Secretary   of th Area Council endorsed by him

She listed three topics for the children to choose from namely: ‘My Favorite City’, ‘My Best Class ever’ and ‘A typical Day’ at school 150 words maximum. The total number of contestants for North Central is 12.

Present at the occasion were the HOD Social Mobilization Alhaji Garba Gambo and HOD Primary School Services, Hajia Hauwa Kulu Lawal Mohammed representing FCT. Others were representatives from Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue.