At least 183 learners have been enrolled in a newly launched adult education programme in Gbatse, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The programme, organised by Better Life Initiative, Upswing, in partnership with Revival Prayer Outreach, aims to provide free education from primary to junior secondary school levels for adults in the community, with plans for further expansion.
The programme was officially inaugurated on Thursday at Gbatse Community Primary School, drawing widespread attention and support from residents eager to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Speaking at the event, the Country Director of Upswing for Better Life Initiative, Ms Maureen Okechukwu, said the large number of enrollees showed the high demand for education in the community.
“The people here are hungry for education. We were overwhelmed by the level of interest shown by residents who want to learn,” Okechukwu said.
She explained that Gbatse was chosen for the programme due to its high illiteracy rate, the willingness of the people to embrace education, and the cooperation of the traditional ruler and local leaders.
“We saw their eagerness to learn and the openness of their leaders to support this initiative, which made it easier for us to come in,” she said.
The Zakir of Gbatse Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Zika Pila Jeremiah III, who officially launched the programme, urged the learners to remain committed to the classes, describing education as a powerful tool for personal and community development.
“An educated community can overcome many challenges, including poverty. Education empowers people to think critically and solve problems,” he said.
Apostle Wisdom Ezenyi of Revival Prayer Outreach, who also serves as the school’s proprietor, said the initiative emerged from a spiritual outreach that evolved into an education-focused intervention after seeing the community’s need for literacy.
“What started as a spiritual mission has now grown into this free adult education programme,” he explained.
“We started with 183 learners and plan to continue growing. The school is free for all, from primary one to junior secondary three, and we hope to extend to senior secondary in the future.”
He expressed appreciation for the community’s support, noting that the monarch donated the entire school facility for the programme.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of His Royal Highness, who gave us this building and his full blessing,” Apostle Wisdom added.
In addition to the adult literacy programme, the organisation has also funded the education of several students in the community. Apostle Wisdom disclosed that seven adult learners were enrolled in formal secondary schools, with two sitting for the recently concluded Junior WAEC exams.
“We also supported five students who had dropped out due to a lack of funds by paying their fees and covering exam costs,” he said.
One of the community’s oldest residents, Baba Ahua Nyagba, expressed gratitude to the organisers and pledged the community’s continued support for the initiative.
“You have our blessing to operate here. There will be no issues with insecurity or interference,” he assured.
The programme has sparked optimism across Gbatse, with many residents hopeful that the free adult education classes will not only improve individual lives but also help drive broader community development.
