Kunle ADELABU & Ebunolowa AFOLABI (SIWES student)
-Otunba Elesho honoured with NUT ‘Teachers’ Pride Award
Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade led executive council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu branch, has stated that it has fulfilled six of the seven promises it made during the electioneering campaign.
The branch chairman stated this at the 2019 edition of the World Teachers’ Day held at the Teachers’ House located within the premises of Methodist and Oga Primary Schools, Ikorodu on Saturday, October 5, 2019.
Former Commissioner for Information and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, KJW, set the record of being the first non-teacher to be honored with the Ikorodu NUT’s highest honour, “Teachers Pride Award”.
Also honoured with gold medals at event were Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and Permanent Cahirman, Ikorodu Division Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and General Secretary of Ijebu Obas in Lagos State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali , and the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade.
Comrade Fakolade,while addressing hundreds of teachers across the six Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ikorodu Division and guests at the event, stated:
“During the electioneering campaign, we promised teachers in Ikorodu Seven (7) Points Agenda, Distinguished Schools managers and teachers; we wish to inform you that our determination is always backed with the zeal to accomplish.
“I am proud to inform you that six out of the seven (7) point agenda have been achieved. We have even gone beyond those things that we promised our members.
“It is important to, at this point, inform you that the seventh agenda , which is the souvenir, is ongoing, we are at the peak of production. This shall get to the entire teachers before the end of this tenure” , he assured.
Fakolade also stated that his administration has improved on the relationship with traditional institutions in Ikorodu division and other strategic stakeholders.
“We have gone further to improve our relationship with the traditional institutions in Ikorodu division. The blessings and opinions of our royal fathers are parts of our major backing.
“One of our major epoch-making records is the harmonious relationship that now exists among Ikorodu teachers irrespective of whether they are in primary school or secondary school sector. ANCOPSS and AOPSHON are now relating positively well and speak with one voice. The entire teachers in lkorodu are now one big happy family”, he stated with fulfilment”.
Other achievements stated by Fakolade were: Health Insurance Scheme, Empowerment Program, NUT Ikorodu Cooperative Multipurpose Society, establishment of NUT Media Team, Building of Aerobic Centre/Coop House, Birthday greetings, Defense of Teachers, Facilitation of National Identity card Registration for Teachers and Introduction of Ramadan Lecture and Christmas Carol.
While thanking the critical stakeholders for their supports and the teachers for the privilege him given to serve them, Comrade Fakolade also took stock of his administration’s existence.
“To those that put us in this vantage position, we welcome you all. We are very grateful to Almighty God and to all the teachers in lkorodu for the privilege to serve. We believe that it’s your conviction as regard of our ability to make a difference that brought us to this position as we are not even the best among you”.
“Today, we have spent exactly 865 days which is 20,760 hours in office. This is how quick the time flies.
“World Teachers Day (WTD) is held annually on the 5th of every October since 1994. It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers.The recommendation set bench marks regarding the rights and responsibility of teachers and standards of their initial preparation for further education, recruitment, empowerment, teaching and learning conditions”, he stated.
The Chairman of the occasion, Otunba (Comrade) Ayodele Elesho, KJW, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom , while welcoming teachers and other guests, stated that the occasion offered an opportunity for ininteractions.
“I am highly delighted to be the chairman of this August occasion, more so, as the Nigeria Union of Teachers Ikorodu is adding another page to her numerous golden accomplishments. It’s on this note that I welcome everyone here present and appreciating you all for sacrificing your other assignments to be here today.
“This gathering offers us the privilege to meet, interact and celebrate with ICONS in the education sector and share knowledge, ideas and most importantly, to appreciate and honor our leaders who have contributed immensely to the sector. It is my prayer that God in his infinite mercy will continue to bless all of us” , he prayed.
He called for the support of the critical stakeholders for the educational sector, while also emphasizing the importance of education and roles of teachers in the nation building.
“We all know that education has no alternative. it remains the best solution to the societal problems and the light that has been showing the world way out of the darkness of ignorance.
“This is why everything must be done and all hands must be on deck to support the education sector which is the tomorrow of our children.
“To become successful in life,the role of teachers cannot be over emphasized. Teachers develop our career and businesses. They help us to become good citizens of the country. Teachers also help in training the students/pupils who are the future of any nation”.
Otunba Elesho also commended the union’s exco led by Comrade Fakolade for its achievements in office.
“Today, without mincing words, NUT lkorodu branch, under the indefatigable leadership of Comrade Fakolade Oluwafemi Oluwaseun , has placed the branch on the highest golden pedestral. The branch has become an enviable one among other branches of the union, not only in Lagos state but the whole federation. The harmonious cooperation among teachers in Ikorodu cannot be over emphasized. Positively, teachers hope has been raised. Teachers welfare has taking paramount place in the heart of the present exco”, he stated.
“International standard cooperative multipurpose for Teachers In the division has also been established and waxing strong. Also at the completion stage is the aerobic cooperative house tagged: Solaja Alagogo Aerobic center. This project shall soon be commissioned.
“I am also aware of the health insurance scheme for teachers, the first of its kind in the union”, he stated recalling the achievements of the Fakolade led Ikorodu NUT administration.
“Fakolade led administration has also extended hands of fellowship to the widows among our teachers. Empowerment training for teachers on the production of paint, hair body cream and most recently, training in the production of bar soap, are also on course” .
While also commending Fakolade for the recognition he has given to the traditional rulers in the division and others, Otunba Elesho called on the government to see to the improvement of teachers’ welfare and service conditions.
“Let me also use this medium to make a clarion call on government at all levels and well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the plight of teachers to enhance better performance and motivate them with a new salary structure for teachers considering their important role as career and future builders for the children under their care”, he stated.
Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa, the immediate past chairman, NUT Ikorodu branch, pleaded with teachers in Ikorodu to adopt consensus candidates in future elections to reduce tension and cost of electioneering.
He called on the teachers in Ikorodu, especially the female teachers, to give Comrade Fakolade a second term because “his administration has performed beyond everybody’s expectations”.
The Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, also speaking at the celebration, stated:
“I have always been proud of NUT Ikorodu. This is where good things are happening.
“It is the first NUT branch to have a Class room teacher as NUT chairman in Lagos State” , Hon. Agunbiade, who was formerly a classroom teacher, recalled.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his own remarks, pledged his continuous support for the teachers in Ikorodu.
He also charged tge female teachers to use their numerical strength within the union to produce a female chairman in the next dispensation.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty Oba Semiudeen Kasali, in his own royal address, charged teachers to always deliver their best and assured them that their rewards are both here on earth and heaven.
He also enjoined them to support the State government which he stated is doing its bit to improve the education sector.
