Entrepreneurship Education and Youth Empowerment: 2021 International Literacy Day Celebration

The 8th of September was proclaimed International Literacy Day by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1966 to remind the international community of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies. Literacy is a vital component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UNs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.



Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Despite progress, literacy challenges persist, with at least 773 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills today.

Literacy empowers individuals and improves their lives by expanding their capabilities to choose a kind of life they can value. It is also a driver for sustainable development.

The Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered in Nigeria and a United Nations Global Compact Participant that focuses on entrepreneurship education and youth empowerment.


Today, the 8th of September 2021, ILD celebrated worldwide to promote the importance of education and assist disadvantaged people in becoming literate with the theme ‘Literacy for a human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide.’

YEDIS joins the entire world in the celebration by supporting the UNESCO mission and work in line with United Nations Sustainable Development (SDG 2030) agenda 4. With this development, ILD lectures were delivered with writing materials to 253 participants, donations of six white marker-board (4×4 inches), 100 markers, and 150 pieces of the pen to Onaolapo Memorial High School Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria.

The youths are advised to shun violence, thuggery, hooliganism, and immoral attitudes. They should think of what they can do to develop their communities and the nation, not only what the government can do for them. Most importantly, they are to be creative and innovative in their educational approach to contribute to the nation’s economic development. While entrepreneurship education is now a global academic practice, then colleges and youth should act accordingly.

The teachers are commended for their impact on education, professional ethics compliance, and literacy encouragement. 

Apart from the above contributions,
YEDIS had carried out many youth empowerment programs (details at www.yedis.org) while the objectives include;
*motivation of youth to succeed entrepreneurially by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to operate a business.                
*development of an entrepreneurial culture among youth/students for self-reliance.
*learning from inspiring entrepreneurs, their tips for success, and network with like-minded people.
*exchange of business ideas among members to create a forum for business plans, competition and debate, and accessibility to business advice and development.
*organizing mentorship, workshops, and training to gain leadership and business management expertise.
*engagement in creative and innovative discipline by implementing business concepts with an entrepreneurial mindset.

National newspaper publication; https://tribuneonlineng.com/2021-international-literacy-day-yedis-distributes-writing-materials-to-schools-in-osun-charges-students-to-shun-thuggery/

Except of the year 2020 International literacy day impact by YEDIS. Local television news; https://youtu.be/IzNCFPibCuk

Past events and publications; https://yedis.org/blog-events-updates/

Rafiu Olaore, MSc (Entrepreneurship & Innovation), MBA, BSc (Entrepreneurship & Bus. Mgt), HND (P&S), MIoE, MCIPSM, MNIM, MNIMN, MICSB (USA), MIPS (UK).

Director-General.
Email; info@yedis.org, rafiu@yedis.org. https://www.yedis.org

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