World Teachers’ Day: Oyo NUT honours Oriire attack survivors as heroes
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has honoured teachers who demonstrated courage during the May 15, 2026, attack on a school in Oriire Local Government Area, describing them as heroes of the education sector.
The union dedicated its 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration to teachers and learners affected by the attack, with its chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, saying the occasion was marked with mixed feelings because of the sacrifices made by those affected.
Fatai spoke on Monday at the celebration held at the Islamic High School Multipurpose Hall, Orita Basorun, Ibadan, where teachers, education administrators, government officials, labour leaders and other stakeholders gathered to commemorate the day themed “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.”
He said the union would recognise surviving victims of the Oriire attack through its Heroes and Heroines Award, while supporting the families of teachers who lost their lives and identifying with learners affected by the incident.
Fatai described the victims and survivors as “heroes and heroines of the teachers and education struggle in the state” and commended stakeholders who contributed to the rescue and survival efforts, including Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Commissioner for Education Segun Olayiwola and the leadership of the state’s education agencies.
The NUT chairman also urged the state government to sustain its support for teachers and improve their welfare and working conditions, calling for the full implementation of the Safe School Programme, integration of 135 teachers into the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) employment structure and approval of inter-local government transfers for some teachers appointed in 2005.
He further called for administrative flexibility on conversion and career progression, prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances, while urging teachers to embrace artificial intelligence and other technological developments as part of efforts to strengthen the profession and improve education.
A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Heroes and Heroines of Teachers Award to teachers who demonstrated courage and dedication during the Oriire school attack, including Mrs. Alamu Racheal Folawe, principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; Mr. Ojo Jonathan Adebayo, vice principal; Mr. Olatunde Olutoye Zacchaeus; Mrs. Oladeji Jelilat Oluwakemi; and Mrs. Daunting Mary Temitope of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota. Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said teachers remained central to meaningful transformation of the education sector and urged continued investment in professional development, decent working conditions, teaching resources, career progression, mentoring and capacity building.
