By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Awka
The National Association of SeaDogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, Honduras Deck, Awka Chapter, In collaboration with Afta Shock Deck, California, North America, has marked the 2026 International Literacy Day with an educational outreach to children at the Model Community Children’s Home School, Real Estate, Awka.
The school, which is owned by the Anambra State Government, hosted the outreach aimed at encouraging the children to embrace education and develop strong reading, writing and numeracy skills.
The programme, with the theme, “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity,” was organised to commemorate the annual International Literacy Day and sensitise the children to the importance of literacy while encouraging them to take their academic pursuits seriously.
Speaking during the programme, the Captain of the association, Engr. Okata Friday, said the initiative was part of NAS’ commitment to promoting education and supporting the development of children in society.
Okata noted that International Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8 and established by UNESCO in 1967, provides an opportunity to draw attention to the importance of literacy and education.
He said literacy remained fundamental to effective communication, interaction and participation in society, urging the children to make reading and writing an integral part of their lives.
“Education is the key. It is one of the easiest ways to escape poverty. I encourage the children to imbibe the spirit of reading and writing because it will go a long way in helping them communicate and interact with people,” he said.
The Honduras Deck Captain urged the children to be hardworking, listen to their teachers and respect them, stressing that discipline and commitment to education would help them become responsible citizens.
He also called on the state government to provide more opportunities for non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to partner with it in expanding literacy and educational sensitisation programmes across the state.
“We are encouraging the state government to equally give other NGOs the opportunity to partner with it so that this sensitisation can reach more communities across the state,” Okata said.
In his teachings, Guest speaker, Professor Nnaemeka Abamara, a Professor of Clinical Psychologist, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, informed the children that developing reading culture will enhance their knowledge acquisition and make them better citizens when they grow up.
Also speaking, one of the association’s members, Chief Obiesili Amaechi Cosmos described literacy as the foundation upon which education and other aspects of life are built.
He said the ability to read, write, calculate and communicate was essential, regardless of an individual’s chosen profession.
“Knowing how to read and write is basic. No matter what you do in life, you have to start by knowing how to read and write, how to calculate and how to communicate. It is very important,” he said.
Obiesili urged the children not to take their education for granted, advising them to pay attention to their teachers and take seriously everything they were taught in school.
He also appealed to parents and guardians to complement the efforts of teachers by monitoring their children’s academic progress at home.
“When your child comes back from school, try to know what he or she learnt in school. Try to also teach them at home. It will help reinforce what they have been taught in school,” he added.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of Model Community Children’s Home School, Rev Sister Akuchukwu Philomena Chikodili, said every child had the right to education and urged parents to ensure their children took advantage of opportunities to learn.
She said education equips children with essential knowledge and skills while preparing them to pursue different careers and acquire vocational skills.
“Every child has the right to education. When they are teaching you, you have to learn. Some of you will become doctors, nurses or teachers. But apart from becoming a doctor, nurse or teacher, once you are educated, you can acquire any other skill,” she said.
Akuchukwu stressed that literacy and numeracy were important irrespective of an individual’s financial status, noting that everyone needed the ability to read, write and count in everyday life.
She therefore urged parents to ensure their children attended school regularly, paid attention to their studies and practised at home what they had learnt in school.
“It is very important that our children, with the support of their parents, go to school, learn, return home and put into practice what they have learnt. Tomorrow, they will become better people in society,” she advised.
She disclosed that the school had not experienced major challenges in providing access to education for the children, noting that the pupils attended school regularly and had access to transportation.
Akuchukwu commended the National Association of SeaDogs for the literacy outreach, describing initiatives that encouraged children to value education as important contributions to their future and the development of society.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Benita Chigozie, expressed happiness over what she learnt during the programme, stressing that education was essential to personal growth and success.
“School is very important, and without education, you may find it difficult to achieve your goals in life,” she said.
Special highlights were the presentation of reading materials to the children.