Speaking at a seminar marking the 2025 International Literacy Day, held at the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute in Port Harcourt, NDDC’s Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. Awele Chukwudifo, explained that the initiative was designed to raise awareness among young people about the critical role literacy plays in both personal and societal transformation.

The seminar followed a sensitisation walk on September 8 — the official International Literacy Day — aimed at spotlighting the importance of literacy in today’s interconnected world.

“Literacy enhances self-esteem, drives economic development, and fosters national growth. The NDDC believes in developing our youth not just in reading and writing, but also in acquiring relevant skills. Literacy is a human right, and everyone deserves access not just to basic education, but to the digital tools and knowledge that define the modern world,” Dr. Chukwudifo stated.

She added that the programme was designed to broaden students’ perspectives and equip them with the tools to leverage technology for self-development in today’s digital era.

Delivering a keynote lecture titled “Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Drive Innovation, Creativity, and Productivity,” Dr. Augustin Imikan highlighted the transformative power of digital tools in the modern workforce.

“To stay relevant, we must embrace change. Emerging technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for learning, growth, and global competitiveness,” he said, while cautioning about challenges such as data privacy, security risks, and misuse of information. Imikan urged organisations to foster innovation, adopt AI and machine learning, and align technology use with national development goals.

Also speaking, Dr. Jinyemiema Tamuno of Rivers State University, in his paper “Promoting Literacy in a Digital Era,” described literacy as the bedrock of national development.

“Education is a fundamental human right. It opens the door to all other rights and freedoms. It empowers individuals with the knowledge, skills, values, and behavior needed to foster peace, respect, and equality,” he stressed.

Tamuno referenced UNESCO’s 2024 report, which revealed that over 739 million youths and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills. He noted that five NDDC states feature among Nigeria’s top ten most literate, with Imo State in the lead. However, he warned of a troubling 28 percent average school dropout rate in the region and called on the NDDC to intensify its literacy campaigns