It was a celebration galore for teachers in Ekiti and Ogun states as their governors gave out new cars, houses and cash to the best teachers in the states for 2021.
The occasion was World Teachers Day 2021 celebrated worldwide on Tuesday.
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Setting the tone for the celebration was Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who presented two brand new Kia cars to the best teachers in primary and secondary schools in the state.
The teachers are Olusonji Bamidele, from Isan Secondary School and Jimoh Azeez, from Ansarudeen Nursery and Primary School, Otun Ekiti.
Fayemi also presented cash awards and freezers to some teachers who were outstanding in their teaching profession.
The governor restated that as a lover of education and a teacher-friendly government, teachers’ welfare entitlement and promotion remained sacrosanct to his government.
His Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday announced the donation of a two-bedroom detached bungalow to a teacher in Japara Junior Secondary School, Ijebu Igbo, Mr Kehinde Oladapo, as the overall best teacher in the state for 2021.
The house is located at the state-owned estate, Kobape, Obafemi Owode Local Government.
Oladapo also received a donation of N2.5million for being the overall best teacher in the state.
Abiodun announced this while addressing members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Academic Staff Union Secondary Schools (ASUSS), at the Obas complex in Abeokuta.
The governor also awarded N2 million to a teacher with Army Day Secondary School, Owode Yewa, Mr Uche Bakare, as the best teacher in the Senior Secondary School category.
Abiodun also gave Oluwadare Odutayo from All Saints African Primary school, Ijebu Igbo, who emerged as the best primary school teacher, the sum of N2million.
The governor said the state government instituted a yearly best teachers’ awards scheme in different categories to appreciate outstanding teachers in the state and those who had distinguished themselves in the course of carrying out their duties.
Earlier, the chairman of NUT in the state, Abiodun Akinola, urged the government to quickly released unremitted cooperative deductions which had been adversely affecting the lives of teachers and their families.
Akinola, represented by the state secretary, Samson Oyelere, appealed to the governor not to take the welfare and motivation of teachers in the state with levity.
Niger Teachers want adequate security in schools
Meanwhile, in Niger State, secondary school teachers under the umbrella of Academic Staff Union of Secondary School have called on the Niger State Government to renew efforts to secure schools against armed men attacks.
The chairman of the Union, Daniel Angulu, said previous attacks on schools in the state still scared teachers from going about their normal duties as bandits have continued to operate in some parts of the state.
“We appreciate the state government for the efforts made so far but much still needs to be done. Attacks on our students and teachers are forcing many parents and children to relinquish their right to Education. The government needs to come in by providing adequate security in schools to protect students and teachers,” he said.
Angulu also appealed to the state government to look into the welfare of teachers as well as the provision of adequate learning facilities for effective teaching and learning.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Union, Danjuma S. Abdullahi noted that in spite of the challenges of insecurity, teachers have continued to attend to their duties.
He appreciated teachers for continuous sacrifice in the face of several challenges facing education especially the issue of insecurity.
Makinde hails teachers
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday congratulated teachers in Oyo State and across the country on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, saying that teachers remain the unsung heroes of global developmental strides.
Makinde who spoke at this year’s teacher’s day celebration said that he was happy that teachers were recognised globally with the dedication of a day to celebrate them.
“Being the son of a teacher, I practically recognise what teachers go through and the level of appreciation accorded them by the society.
“I am, therefore, pleased that the world has come to recognise these usually unsung heroes to the extent that they are being celebrated today,” the governor said.
From Abubakar Akote (Minna), Peter Moses (Abeokuta), Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado Ekiti) & Jeremiah Oke (Ibadan)
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