Govermor Dapo Abiodun has assured teachers in public schools in Ogun State of payment of their outstanding leave bonuses as from January,2023, just as he announced automatic employment for wife of late teacher, Sunday Ogunjimi from Odeda Local Government Area who lost his life during workers struggle on 1st of July, 2022
Abiodun addressing teachers during this year's World Teacher's Day Celebration on Wednesday at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Kuto, Abeokuta, said he had directed that the payment of the leave bonuses would be alongside with salaries every month
"We've decided to pay salaries with leave bonuses every month as from January, 2023, until all the outstanding bonuses are clear ", he assured
The govermor hinted that he had directive for immediate employment of the late teacher's wife into the State Civil Service
He also said that both the State Teaching Service and State Universal Basic Education Board to compile the list of teachers due for promotion for year 2021 and 2022, promising that his administration will always give priority to welfare of teachers
Abiodun equally revealed that the offices of Principal-General and Head-Teacher General would be gazetted to make both positions permanent for successive administration to sustain, so as to continue to encourage the teachers to get to the peak of their career in public service which is equivalent of a Permanent Secretary in the core civil service
The govermor while speaking on the theme of the 2022 celebration "The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers", 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.
"Ogun State is the Education capital of Nigeria. We could not have achieved this status without the contributions of our teachers. We are the Education Capital of Nigeria today mainly because our teachers are simply the best you can find around this country", the governor stated.
He attributed the commitment of the teaching professionals to the ability of students in Ogun to win numerous awards at different education competitions both national and international.
He noted further that more parents are now showing renewed faith in the public schools by enrolling their children into them unlike in the past
The governor disclosed that his administration was in the process of supplying 25,000 furniture to all public primary and secondary schools, renovating over 956 classrooms in primary and secondary schools, while approval has been given for the commencement of Ogun Digitalized Multimedia Lesson Plan, where the teachers would be equipped with the wherewithal resources for effective delivery.
While appreciating the teachers for their dedication to duties and being at the forefront of achieving his administration's agenda in the education sector, Abiodun charged them to be more innovative and embrace modern teaching methods, assuring that their welfare would not be jettisoned.
The State 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
He added that the State Government was glad to identify with the teachers in celebrating their day.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Abiodun Akinola, noted that the auspicious was a good opportunity to draw government and other stakeholders' attention to the issues affecting the welfare and well-being of the teachers.
Akinola who lauded the state government's efforts at training and retraining teachers, recruitment of more teachers, however, urged the government to address the disparity in salaries between primary and secondary schools teachers, while efforts should be made by stakeholders including traditional rulers, religious bodies, among others to address the issue of out-of-school children.
On his part, the State Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) Akeem Lasisi, commended the state government for abolishing all forms of levies in the public schools and urged government to be ready to spend more money on education, while allowance for teachers serving in the rural areas should be increased.
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.
*L-R: The Ogun State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Abiodun Akinola; Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Governor Dapo Abiodun; his Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu and the Deputy Governor; Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele during the conferment of the Stand-out Performer Award on Governor as part of activities marking 2022 Teachers Day at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta on Wednesday*
The event was also spiced up with the presentation of awards by the govermor to administrators, teachers and schools in appreciation of their outstanding contributions to the growth of education sector in the state
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 N2m and N1.5m 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 a sum of N1m 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.
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