The Osun State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed for first reading a bill seeking the establishment of an education agency to reduce illiteracy and promote lifelong learning in the state.

The private member bill titled “Osun Mass Education Agency Establishment Bill 2024” was presented to the assembly by the chairman of the House Committee on Education, Sikiru Bajepade. 

The Assembly Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, while reading the content of the bill at plenary, said the bill, when passed into law, would “provide access to education for individuals excluded from the formal system.

“It will reduce illiteracy and promote functional literacy and numeracy and the promotion of lifelong learning and continuous personal learning.”

Mr Egbedun earlier commended his colleagues for their diligence and perseverance, as they reconvened for a new legislative year with the plenary session.

He said, “Through our various outreach and empowerment programmes, we have delivered meaningful support to our constituents, strengthening public confidence in this assembly work.”

The speaker said that the lawmakers’ foremost obligation was to the people who entrusted them with their mandate.

According to him, every debate held, every resolution adopted, and every law enacted will be guided by the welfare and progress of the state.

The assembly then adjourned the sitting until February 23. 

(NAN)