World Teachers’ Day: Abiodun showers cash, house gifts on teachers, administrators, schools
By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta
Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has rewarded teachers, school administrators and schools that have excelled in academics with houses and cash gifts.
Abiodun also offered employment to the wife of late Mr Sunday Ogunjimi, a teacher in Odeda Local Government Area, who slumped and passed away while attending a welfare meeting involving members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state in July.
Tajudeen Odufeso from Isara Secondary School, Isara- Remo, was given a two bedroom bungalow as the Best Teacher in Public Senior Secondary Schools, while Adelana Owolabi and Orebanjo Olusesan from Ijebu Muslim College (Junior) and Early Education Centre, Ijebu-Igbo, got N2million and N1.5million for emerging Best Teachers in Public Junior Secondary Schools and Public Primary Schools, respectively.
Mr Fagbamila Olatunbosun Okeneye from Omo Edumare Model Nursery and Primary School, Ago-Iwoye, carted home N1million as the Best Administrator in the Public Primary Schools category.
In the school category, Remo Divisional High School (Senior), Sagamu and St. Michael’s African Church School 1, Ota, won Best Public Secondary School (Senior) and Best Public Primary School, respectively.
Speaking at the event with the theme; “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers”, held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, Governor Abiodun described teachers as career moulders, mentors and national builders who sacrifice their all to produce diverse professionals for the nation.
“No doubt, these peculiar people deserve to be celebrated. In fact, we should celebrate them every day and not just for one day that the global body has set aside like today.
“Let me on behalf of all of us – the government and the entire people of Ogun State – join all men and women of goodwill all over the world to thank very heartily and congratulate very warmly our teachers on the celebration of yet another Teachers’ Day.
“Education is the bedrock of any meaningful socio-political and economic development. As a foundation for scientific, technological enrichment and the advancement of any society, no Nation can become great without the positive contributions of her teachers.
“The future of any Nation is usually determined by the quality of its education system and how it treats teachers,” he said.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, in his welcome address, said the theme of this year’s celebration is in tandem with the incumbent administration’s agenda to reposition the education sector for effectiveness and efficiency, adding that the state government was glad to identify with the teachers in celebrating their day.
State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abiodun Akinola, noted that the occasion was a good opportunity to draw government and other stakeholders’ attention to the issues affecting the welfare and well-being of the teachers.
Highlights of the celebration was the award of ‘Standout Performance’ by the NUT on Governor Abiodun and the presentation of a brand new bus to the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter.
