Kunle Adelabu with Ayodele Aderonke & Okiye Abiodun (SIWES Students)
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu branch, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, inducted 232 primary school teachers that have just been employed by the Lagos State Government and assigned them to various schools across the Ikorodu Division.
The ceremony, which was held at the Teachers’ House (NUT Secretariat) located within the Oga/Ayangburen Primary Schools compound on Allinson Street, Ikorodu, provided the new teachers the opportunity to know about the historical development of NUT, ethics of the profession and how to manage their finances and plan for future.
Two stickers of the NUT, Ikorodu branch were also launched during the programme.
Comrade Fakolade Oluwafemi Oluwaseun, JP, the Chairman of Ikotodu NUT branch, also led the union in conducting the new inductees round the NUT secretariats and multipurpose Cooperative House.
Fakolade,while speaking at the induction ceremony, thanked the Lagos State Government for engaging more unemployed graduates and showing concern for the education sector.
“Let me start by appreciating Lagos State Government for reducing the number of unemployed graduates in the labour market and for giving utmost attention to the education sector” he said.
While assuring that NUT will continue to fight for the welfare of teachers, Fakolade the inductees to be give their best in contributing to the development of the teaching profession and education in the state.
“NUT that was established in 1931, is committed to the welfare of teachers and Ikorodu branch will not depart from this vision.
“We are happy to welcome you all on board and also congratulate you on your appointment as teachers in the most vibrant and teacher’s friendly branch.
“I admonish you all to remain committed to the tenets of the noblest of all profession and do your best towards the advancement and sustainability of educational sector in Lagos State.
“I further encourage you all to be loyal and committed to Nigeria Union of Teachers Ikorodu branch and work assiduously towards her growth and progress” he said.
The National Representative of the NUT Lagos, Comrade Akintoye Hassan, speaking on theme, “NUT Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, stated that activities of what happened yesterday have become history and that today will be makeup and what will come tomorrow is for the future.
While tracing the historical development of NUT, he said that NUT came onto being by merging Lagos Union of Teachers and Ijebu Head Teachers with Late Revd Ransome – Kuti as the leader and that the union as at then was restricted to the southern part of the country.
The two term NUT Surulere branch Chairman also said that what is known as the national NUT began in 1972 with the meeting of the Southern union and the northern counterpart.
He said that founding fathers like Ramsome – Kuti and others that toured the country to meet with teachers and slept in schools, laid the foundation for a very strong union that exists today.
“Today is where we belong. We are the ones profiting from the labour and efforts of the Kutis. New leadership has also emerged and over time fought hard to also made some achievements”, Hassan said.
“NUT today is fighting another challenge, especially regarding placement of secondary and primary schools teachers and management of the schools.
“While the secondary schools are placed under the states by the constitution, primary schools are not place under any tier but the law states that local government can participate in the management of the primary schools.
“At a point, many councils across the country are not paying their primary school teachers while promotion exams are not being conducted. We had to fight it and after several efforts, it was resolved that both the state and councils must first deduct salaries of both primary and secondary school teachers from allocations”, the unionist recalled.
“The difficult times are beyond us now because we remain united and all efforts to divide us have failed.
The National Representative of Lagos NUT also listed other achievements of NUT today to include, salary structure, increment in service age to 65 and ensuring that primary school teachers can now attain Grade Level 17 unlike before when they stuck at GL 15 among others.
“We are still fighting for the creation of the position of Headmaster – General for primary schools, that would have equal status with the Permanent Secretary like what the secondary school achieved with the Tutor – General status”, he told the newly inductees who roar in appreciation of the union.
Comrade Hassan, while charging the newly employed teachers, said that the future belongs to them to make their impact like Ransome – Kuti of the past and the new leadership of today.
“The future of the NUT is about hope, vision and now that we have you today, it is time for you to start dreaming of tomorrow.
“I am hoping that the crop of today’s teachers will continue to fight to make the noble profession greater and that teachers will be second to none in the society”, he said.
The Head of Human Resource Department of the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu, Dr Fashakin who spoke on “Professionalism Work Ethics”, said that the newly employed teachers must ensure that their conduct are in tandem with the ethics and rules of the profession.
“Now that you have been appointed as teachers, your character and behavior must be in tandem with the teaching profession.
“You must keep eagle eyes on the children under your care and be extremely careful in discharging your duty.
“You must respect the constituted authority and whatever observation or contribution that you have must be done in a polite manner”, he said.
Mr Oyewole Olusegun, President, NUT Ikorodu Multipurpose Cooperative Society, spoke on “Financial Prudence for Newly Employed Teachers” .
He charged the inductees to be part of the registered and active cooperative society of the union to secure their future.
He also asked them to adopt 10:20:70 formula in handling their salaries by saving 10%, invest 20% and use the remaining 70% to take care of their needs and families.
Inductees Reactions
Babalola Ibilola speaking with THE IMPACT, said:
“lt was fantastic and educative for us to know that the teaching profession has achieved greater things than other professions”.
Mrs Alli Kehinde, who is posted to Elepe Primary School, lkorodu, in her own response, said:
“Well, I felt great for being part of this because it has enlightened me more about our profession and that we must find joy in our profession”.
Mrs Idowu, also posted to Elepe Primary School, said:
“lt was amazing because I learnt that we should always take our work seriously and that we should always do our best. I am happy to be one of the new teachers”.
African Bethel Nursery and Primary School, Ota – Ona, lkorodu, also responding, said that:
“I feel great because the event is empowering and enlightening. I am very happy because I was part of those that were chosen because so many people are still out there jobless”.
Awosayan Oluwaseun, also a new teacher at Ota – Ona Nursery and Primary School, lkorodu, said that:
“It is a delight. The induction is okay. It has enlightened us as new teachers in Ikorodu”.
Mr Omotayo, LG Primary School, Ipakodo, said:
“The induction is a step taken in the right direction. It has made us understood the rudiments of our profession and with this knowledge, we can now work and cope better in our different work environment”.
Mrs Ayomide, Methodist Primary School,lkorodu, also responding, said:
“The induction is the right medium to put the new new teachers in the right set of mind and for them to know what to do.lt is a fantastic programme and will go a long way to assist us. We appreciate the chairman for his effort in ensuring that we were taught about NUT of yesterday, today and tomorrow and financial prudence”
Mrs Adekemi, another inductee said:
“Today’s programme is okay. It is an orientation programme. They orientated us on the cooperative and other things that we need to know”.
Mrs Motunray, who was also part of the orientation programme also said:
“The induction program was fine and we really enjoyed it. They orientated us about how to be good teachers”.
