Kunle Adelabu
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The immediate past National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya, has been honoured with the ‘Teachers’ Pride’ award by the Ikorodu branch of the union in commemoration of the 2021 World Teachers’ Day (WTD).
The award, which is the highest award of the Ikorodu branch of the NUT, was presented to the foremost union leader during the celebration of teachers’ day at the NUT House, Methodist Primary School compound, Allison Street, Ikorodu, on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.
Also, award of excellence were presented to other three union leaders – Comrade (Otunba) Adesegun Raheem, National Treasurer, NUT, Nigeria, Comrade Adeyin Adeshina, immediate past Chairman, NUT Lagos State Wing and Comrade (Alhaji) Akintoye Hassan, Chairman, NUT, Lagos State Wing.
Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade who was re – elected for another four years in June 2021,in his address at the event, said that:
“Today, we celebrate Teachers Day 2021. A day set aside by the United Nations and supported by UNESCO since 1994 to honour the gifted souls, and custodian of knowledge who work every day to make sure that the future is brighter for all of us and our children.
“Teachers are often forgotten and neglected by society, but it has been the tradition of NUT Ikorodu to celebrate teachers on a yearly basis and this year will not be an exception”.
He said that the present administration’s manifestos of ‘Consolidation’ will enhance achievements recorded in the last four years in the area of health, Hang – outs on Telegram, Jigi Fako, Completion of Gym/Spa, Programs for Widows and Retirees, Improve Welfare Packages for Teachers, Provision of Recreational Equipment for Teachers, Quality Representation and Sporting activities among others.
“Free medical outreach was carried out on 17th July, 2021, for Head Teachers and Principals. The program was declared open by representatives of TG/PS, education District II and the State Chairman NUT, Lagos Wing. The medical outreach covered the following: Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar Test, Body Mass Index, Eye – care/screening and Private consultation with qualified medical doctors”, he said.
“Since the inauguration of the newly elected executives, the team came up with another online program in a space of one month after inauguration titled, “Teachers Oral Health, Our Concern”, where topics like oral health, gingivitis, halitosis, toothache and diet and oral health were discussed.
“The online program was considered a huge success by teachers. The second edition is coming up soon and we shall be discussing fibroid; an important health concern for women in teaching profession.
On medical outreach and NUT Gym, Comrade Fakolade said:
“During the last free medical outreach for Principals and Head Teachers, eye test and screening were conducted and we are glad to inform you that seventy – two (72) of ‘Jigi Fako’ have been distributed freely to our school managers. The Vice Principals and Assistant Head Teachers would be called upon in no distance time for theirs.
“The project for gym/spa started in 2019 and as of today, the building that would accommodate the gym is completely ready. The next face of engagement is currently to ensure that in no distance time, the gym is delivered to us”.
He also said that there has been improvement in the welfare package for teachers under his administration.
“NUT Ikorodu has become a place of solace for our teachers. Teachers can walk into NUT Secretariat Ikorodu and go home with soft loans, power generators, food stuff and a car.
“During 2020 year’s World Teachers Day, ten cars were distributed to teachers and this year too, the Union shall give out another ten cars. However, due to logistics reasons, the cars would be distributed after the WTD 2021”, he said.
Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, Chairman, House Committee on Defense, who chaired the event, described teachers in Ikorodu as the best in Lagos State and nationwide.
He was represented by the Director – General, iCare Foundation, Mayor Muyideen Sanwoola.
“The entire teachers in Ikorodu Division are the best not only in Lagos State but the whole of the country”, the chairman of the occasion said.
He said that his child is in the public school because of his trust in the system.
Sanwoola said that as part of Hon. Benson’s contribution to educational development in his constituency, he has facilitated the construction of 18 blocks of classrooms.
He commended teachers in Ikorodu for always being ahead of their peers in other parts of the state.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Kasali, in his royal message at the celebration, congratulated the teachers and charged them to continue to give their best.
Oba Kasali assured them that they would get good reward for their hard work and commitment to the development of young ones and the society while alive and also when they get to heaven.
Comrade Akintoye Hassan, Chairman, NUT Lagos State Wing, in his speech at the occasion, thanked the Lagos State Government for the rewarding partnership with the teachers in the state.
He commended the government and stakeholders in the sector for ensuring the standard of education is sustained in the state despite the devastating COVID – 19 pandemic that ravaged the world.
“The theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, which was, ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery’, could not have come at a better time than now, especially when one considers the devastating effect of the global COVID – 19 pandemic on our educational system”, he said.
“I am indeed very delighted to inform our highly revered guests, that here in Lagos, there has been a rewarding partnership between the government and our teachers in terms of collaborative efforts in turning the seemingly sordid situation to improved teaching and learning outcomes.
“We must give kudos to all our educational stakeholders for ensuring that standards are sustained in the heat of the pandemic and even now.
“As a professional labour union, we strongly consider it highly imperative to constantly offer our recommendations and advice on the need to move education forward in Lagos State”.
The NUT State Chairman, while further thanking the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, listed areas where the government has positively impacted on the sector.
“No doubt, within the last three years of this government, teaching profession has witnessed tremendous turn around in all facets of our educational system. Such includes regular payment of salaries and allowances, sustained teachers’ specific allowances, seamless conduct and implementation of promotion exercise, training on digital and information technology, utility vehicle for the union and annual award for outstanding teachers with gifts of exotic cars among many others”, he said.
He also highlighted areas that the union want the government to improve on to further strengthen the relationship.
“However, I would like to use this opportunity to chronicle few others that could further strengthen our educational system if given necessary attention by our amiable Governor. These challenges are surmountable and we are sure of your quick intervention”, he noted.
“Further improvement on shortages of teachers and classrooms over – crowdedness, upward review of running cost – allowances to primary school managers as it has been implemented for secondary schools principals, restoration of peculiar allowances such as sports, reverine, science/mathematics, duty post allowances etc.
Other areas that the union wanted the state government to also look into are, “Creation of the Office of Headmaster – General/Permanent Secretary in the Primary School Sector, since Teachers in Primary Schools hold same qualifications as Teachers in Secondary Schools and we are one”.
In addition to the NUT demands are “Provision of additional students’ and teachers’ forum in schools, Provision of additional teachers’ buses and refurbishment of old ones, employment of security personnel and sanitation managers for schools and more realistic provision of sports grants for primary and secondary schools in Lagos State”.
Other dignitaries at the celebration were Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu and a former State Labour Chairman, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Adele Kara, Commissioner 3, TESCOM and Mr Wale Amusa, Proprietor, HOMAT Group of Schools.
