Pop Collar: Cool FM's OAP Shine Begho, Steve Harris and Wale Salami named Star Crusaders for the 1MGIFTOFLITERACY Campaign

AYECI Africa has announced the appointment of Star Crusaders for its #1MGIFTOFLITERACY Campaign.

The Star Crusaders include: 

Cool FM OAP Shine Begho

Award-winning author and life Coach Steve Harris 

and Commonwealth Youth Fellow, Wale Salami.

In their role, the new Star Crusaders will be active in various activities that helps bring attention to the illiterate population in Nigeria, which is on the high and currently put at over 35Million. The crisis has become an epidemic especially with children and women from disadvantaged communities. The #1MGIFTOFLITERACY Campaign puts a spotlight on the daily struggle that impacts the over 35Million illiterate Nigerians and promotes young people and women acquiring the literacy skills they need to improve their prospects. 

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have the support of a group of talented advocates," says Ifeoma Adibe-Chukwuka, Founder/ED AYECI Africa.  “We are honored to have Shine, Steve and Wale serve as our #IMGIFTOFLITERACY Star Crusaders for the month of March - May 2015”. Their commitment to literacy as both influential and opinion leaders will be a valuable asset to the campaign this year.

 As a writer and father, the campaign's mission hit close to home, says Steve Harris. "I am proud to be part of a campaign that advocates for all children to get access to learning materials they need to thrive in school and in life".

Shine Begho, a beloved On-Air Personality, who is also making a success in her career on television and an event host, says the literacy crisis in Nigeria isn't getting the needed media attention it needs and sees her role as a Star Crusader crucial in putting a spotlight on the issue.

"It is an ambitious initiative, I realize that. But I hope what will happen through the #1MGIFTOFLITERACY Campaign is that we can step up, mobilize enough support and put a dent on illiteracy in our generation," says Wale.

AYECI Africa's effort in the appointment of Star Crusaders is a frantic move to meet its target: which is to enable 1Million educationally disadvantaged women and children in poor communities get access to literacy training and early learning resource materials by Sept 2019.

In the last month, the Star Crusaders have been engaged in producing Advocacy Ads which would be featured in prominent online media platforms creating awareness and encourage mass support for the campaign.

The #1MGIFTOFLITERACY Campaign which debuted in September 2014 has been privileged to involve notable celebrities like, Tosin Ajibade- Founder, Olorisupergal.com and has also gained national exposure in key media outlets. The campaign is also partnering with Pearson Nigeria, which specializes and promotes literacy.

 In addition to these Star Crusaders, AYECI Africa will welcome other advocates, volunteers and organizations who would be interested in taking part in various activities that promotes the campaign. 

For more information, visit @AYECIAfrica on Twitter or Facebook.

The official hashtags are #1Mgiftofliteracy #Starcrusader