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International Literacy Day 2025: Shaping the Future Through Reading and Digital Skills
Every year on September 8, the world marks the International Literacy Day, a day dedicated to reminding us how powerful the ability to read, write, and learn truly is. What began in the late 1960s as a UNESCO initiative has grown into a global tradition that highlights the link between literacy and human progress.
This year’s theme, “Promoting literacy in the digital era,” calls attention to a new reality. Reading and writing remain the foundation, but in today’s connected world, literacy also means knowing how to navigate technology, spot reliable information, and use digital tools effectively. In short, being literate today is no longer just about books, but it’s also about screens.
Despite major strides in education, the numbers tell a worrying story. Millions of adults and young people still cannot read or write. Millions of children remain out of school, and many who do attend struggle to reach basic reading levels. On top of that, those without internet access or digital devices risk being left behind a second time—excluded from both the traditional classroom and the digital one.
That’s why this year’s focus on digital skills is so important. The internet has become central to how people work, study, and even engage in civic life. Experts now describe digital literacy as just as essential as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Schools are being urged to integrate these skills into daily learning, and governments are being called on to bridge the digital divide for marginalized communities.
In Paris today, UNESCO is hosting its annual Literacy Day global celebration and prize ceremony, bringing together educators, policymakers, and activists from around the world. But beyond official gatherings, communities everywhere are finding creative ways to join in through book drives, reading clubs, digital workshops, and awareness campaigns.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, speaks on the role and importance of teachers in the world to celebrate Teachers’ Day today.
He spoke on technology and its advancement and shared that while it is going well, teachers can never be replaced.
“These tools can help teachers reach learners and tailor instruction, but the judgement, encouragement and human connection of a skilled teacher remain indispensable,” he said.
“Every doctor, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur and public servant has benefited from a teacher and could not have become what they are today without teachers,” the minister said.
“When we honour teachers, we honour the people who make every other profession possible.”
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