Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has announced the donation of a two-bedroom detached bungalow to Mr. Kehinde Oladapo, for emerging the overall best teacher in the state.
The governor made the announcement on Tuesday while addressing members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Academic Staff Union Secondary Schools (ASUSS), at the Obas complex in Abeokuta.
Oladapo, who teaches at Japara Junior Secondary School, Ijebu Igbo, became the proud owner of the house located at the state-owned estate, Kobape, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.
Oladapo also received a donation of N2.5million for being the overall best teacher in the state, alongside Mr. Uche Bakare from Army Day secondary school, Owode Yewa, who emerged as the best teacher in the senior secondary school category, and hauling the sum of N2million.
Oluwadare Odutayo from All Saints African Primary school, Ijebu Igbo, who emerged as the best primary school teacher, also carted home the sum of N2 million.
The governor said that the state government instituted the annual 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.
Abiodun noted that it was important to acknowledge the rationale behind the celebration of the teachers’ day, which had once more been brought to the fore on the global stage.
“We must continue to strive to rebuild the foundations of a happy, disciplined, and prosperous society.
“In doing this, we must ensure that we provide an efficient and effective educational system that not only prepares the products for the opportunities and challenges of the present day but also equips them for a brighter future,” he said.
He noted that since the assumption of office, the government had ordered the release of promotion letters to deserving primary and secondary school teachers due for promotion.
The governor added that the state government had rehabilitated over 956 classrooms in both primary and secondary schools.
“We are upgrading 42 of our secondary schools to Flagship Schools, for better performance and productivity.
“I have given approval for the commencement of the Ogun Digitalized Multimedia lesson plan where the teachers would be equipped with the resources for effective delivery,” he said.
Abiodun said the state government would also prioritize the welfare of the state workforce in general and that of the teachers in particular while acknowledging the legitimacy of the teachers’ demands.
He further said that the government would keep working on the issues and solicited more understanding and cooperation in this task apologizing for the delay in redeeming his pledge to the recipient of the 2020 awards, blaming it on administrative issues.
The governor, thereafter, called on the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, to present cheques to the 2020 winners.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUT in the state, Mr. Abiodun Akinola, had appealed to the government to release unremitted cooperative deductions which had been adversely affecting the lives of teachers and their families.
Represented by the State Secretary of the NUT, Mr. Samson Oyelere, the chairman appealed to the governor not to take the welfare and motivation of teachers in the state with levity.
