Wale Jagun
This year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration would, no doubt, remain memorable and evergreen in the minds of teachers in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, as the leadership of the Ikorodu branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) offered them triple celebrations.
The celebration, which is annually observed globally, was commemorated on Monday, October 5, 2020, with the official commissioning of a Gym/Cooperative House and presentation of ‘Dream’ cars to ten teachers.
The Gym/Cooperative House was named after the late educationist and community builder, Late Solaja Alagago, a gesture which the Ikorodu NUT Chairman, Comrade Fakolade Oluwafemi Oluwaseun, said was aimed at immortalizing and celebrating a man that contributed to educational development in lkorodu division.
The event, which was held at the Teachers House, located within the premises of the Ayangbure Primary School, Ikorodu, also afforded the Comrade Fakolade led union the opportunity to give its stewardship of account over the last three years to teachers in Ikorodu and this was done in style through a novel interactive session tagged ‘Breakfast Show’.
The interactive session, which was part of the 2020 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Ikorodu, was moderated by the Publisher/Reporter -in – Chief of THE IMPACT Newspaper, Kunle Adelabu, while teachers were also allowed to ask questions and observe the administration’s activities.
At the event, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Member, Federal House of Representatives, was presented with the 2020 Teachers’ Pride award for his contributions to education and support for the union.
His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangbure of lkorodu, and Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, were also honoured by the union for their contributions and support for the union.
Meanwhile, the Ikorodu NUT Chairman, Comrade Fakolade, while speaking at the event, thanked the teachers in Ikorodu for giving his team their mandate and solicited for more support while he also congratulated them on the occasion of the year 2020 World Teachers’ Day.
He also thanked royal fathers, elected representatives, government functionaries and other stakeholders for their support for teachers generally and his administration in particular.
Fakolade stated that the Gym/Cooperative House and presentation of cars to teachers were some of the testimonies that his administration is impacting on teachers with the mandate given him and his team.
He stated that the cooperative was conceived to make life easier for teachers and also added that lkorodu NUT branch is the first to give its members cars which they are going to pay for in installment.
“The commissioning of the magnificent Gym/Cooperative office building today is one of our testimonies to show that our administration is not only making a difference, but also living up to its billing for posterity in our union and the nation as a whole”, he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Cooperative, as you know, is a help organization with good people mutually relating together for their socio – economic wellbeing and in this case, for the good of our teachers.
“We cooperate mainly to provide food and security for our members (teachers). We believe strongly that the government cannot do it alone, therefore, from personal incomes, we create wealth and investment for the benefit of teachers”, Fakolade added.
“I am happy to inform you that the Branch Executives have introduced ‘dream cars’ for Ikorodu teachers. It is worthy of note that this administration had vowed to go to any length at making sure that every goodie of life is accessible to teachers with ease. This is the reason for the project”, he explained.
“It is important to note that we are the first branch of NUT to give cars to teachers payable on installment basis. For now, we are starting with 10 cars, the project will continue in batches.
“The best is yet to come as we are committed to the service of our teachers in Ikorodu”, he assured teachers.
While pleading with the beneficiaries to endeavour to repay the money for the cars, Fakolade also solicited support from teachers for its administration.
“I, hereby, solicit your cooperation, understanding and support. Remember our social contract, while we are doing our part, we expect all our teachers to fulfill their part by always giving us their support and engaging our administration in constructive criticism”.
The NUT Chairman revealed that the health insurance initiative of the branch has been adopted by the Lagos State Government for all its workers in the state.
“As a union and your elected leaders, we have been so much concerned about the wellness and fitness of our teachers, more so that this is so crucial to our profession”.
He stated that the commissioning of a Gym house for teachers in Ikorodu is to improve their wellness and fitness.
“The Health Insurance Scheme introduced sometimes ago in Ikorodu branch for our members is now being emulated by the Lagos State Government for the entire workers in the state.
“With these, NUT Ikorodu can boldly say that we are ‘Super Role Model’. Our achievements, therefore, cannot be quantified.
“Teachers in Ikorodu can now boast of a place specifically designed for their wellness and fitness. This is what the new Gym is poised to provide for as well as the betterment of Ikorodu teachers”, the proud number teacher in lkorodu said.
Dr Saheed Ibikunle, Permanent Member, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) and the chairman of the occasion, in his address, reflected on the theme of the 2020 World Teachers Day celebration.
“I commend the leadership of the union for the gym, cooperative and cars that will be given out to members. They are laudable but as teachers and colleagues, I want to reflect on the theme for this year, ‘Teachers: Leading in crisis, Re-imagining the future’.
“If we must lead in terms of crisis, how fully prepared are we? If we should be re – imagining the future, how prepared are we for that task? ” he asked.
Dr Ibikunle, who stated that he was a member of the committee that planned gradual re – opening of schools, said that two elements were key in their resolutions.
“Two elements were key in the re – opening of schools and that is where teachers come in. This first one is the provision of infrastructural needs in schools like provision of water, hand washing facility, sanitiser, facemasks and all the rest, which are to help improve on health and hygiene.
“The second demand is about the readiness of teachers. That is, how ready would our teachers be to go back to school? And if we are ready, then, how ready are we to prepare the children for remedial classes? “
He implored that teachers need to lead by example if they are to ensure that COVID – 19 protocols are effectively adhered to in schools towards guarantying the health of students in their care.
Dr Ibikunle also charged teachers to continually improve themselves if they are not only going to lead during a crisis but also help the society in re – imagining the future.
In his royal remarks, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, congratulated teachers and commended the Fakolade led NUT for its achievements.
“I congratulate our teachers and thank them because without them, we cannot get to where we are today. I thank them for being there all the time. It is important that we recognize and appreciate good work.
“We were here last year and were conducted round this complex (the newly commissioned Gym/Cooperative House) while it was still under construction, but today, I can see a beautiful edifice with fine touches.
“I know that you have expended a lot of money to complete this project and it also means that our teachers are well to do.
“On this note, I must commend our Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for attaching importance to the welfare of teachers and paying them as and at when due which is why we have not witnessed any protest.
“I have seen private institutions marching to the palace to complain that their employers failed to pay them, but that is not your case.
“Despite the fact that the government has created more employment opportunities for teachers, there has not been any protest or agitation on social media that they are not being paid.
“I want to thank him (Gov. Sanwo – Olu) on your behalf for paying your monthly salary as and at when due. This has enabled you to contribute towards the construction of this edifice.
“The feat is also achieved through efficient management of the NUT led by our Chairman, Comrade Fakolade Oluwafemi. He has been making use of your contributions very well and using knowledge and wisdom to manage the entire teachers in Ikorodu Division.
“With his achievements enumerated, especially cars that will be given to teachers, he deserves another term. Gone are the days when our teachers used to ride Rally bicycle.
“I want to urge the beneficiaries to endeavour to repay the money for the cars that the union leadership has provided for them.
“I thank the Chairman for the initiative of assisting teachers with cars which they will be paying for in installment”.
Also, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, also speaking, said that:
“I congratulate and commend the Chairman (NUT) and his team. Like the saying goes, “You don’t change a winning team.
“We need a performing manager to progress and advance to the next level.
“We were here during the last year’s celebration and we will always identify and pray for you teachers. We are nothing without teachers. You are the foundation of everything.
“We are prepared to support you always”.
While stating that it is important to use Yoruba Language to communicate in public events, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo also expressed his support for the teachers that are teaching Yoruba language as subject in school.
He charged teachers to continue showing dedication and commitment to their work.
“Let us continue to do what is right at all times so that our conscience will be clear”.
The representative of the Tutor – General/Permanent Secretary, Education District ll, congratulated teachers on the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day and commended the Ikorodu NUT branch for its feat.
Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu, also commended and congratulated the Ikorodu NUT branch and teachers on the occasion of this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration.
