—As kogi teachers observes World teachers day, 10 years after.
By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has said that his administration will continue to work for enhance welfare package and conducive working environment for teachers in the state to enable them carry out their duties.
The Governor who stated this on Saturday at the 2024 teachers day celebration, with the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a new Social Contract for Education”
noted that as those who mentored the present leaders and still mentoring future leaders, their welfare will be the cardinal point of his administration.
Recall that the teachers day celebration was last observed in the state over ten years ago.
He appreciated Kogi teachers for the good jobs they are doing in the provision quality teaching and moulding the characters of the children to be able to contribute to the development of the state, saying that they are the owners of the government as the teachers who has mentored those at all levels of government.
“The importance of the teaching profession cannot be overemphasized, as they are the ones who taught all other professionals. I will therefore continue to support them by attending to their welfare and providing them with a conducive working environment.
He noted that this year theme of the celebration cannot be more apt than now, so as to enable the operators of the nation to formulate policies that will guide the development of the country.
“In the forefront of agitations for improvement in the education sector are the teachers. We are going to work with you to achieve this. I commend your hardwork and contribution to the development of our dear state.
“My administration has provided robust intervention in the educational sector, particularly the basic education in the state. We are going to Put in place adequate training for our teachers that will enhance their capacity and more productivity.
He listed the achievements of his administration to include, massive investment in education, improved healthcare delivery, adequate security of lives and property of citizens, construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state, intervention in the Agricultural sector and inclusive governance among others.
He solicited advise from the people, particularly the teachers, so as to enable his government to continue to deliver the good dividends of democracy to the people of the state, adding that his doors are opened to any constructive engagement that will contribute to the overall development of the state.
He thanked the NUT national for the award of excellence give to him, saying that the message for him here is to do more for teachers and other sectors of the state.
Speaking on the demands of the teachers, governor Ododo, noted that their demands would be looked into with a view to addressing them in line with the availability of funds.
In his welcome address, the NUT chairman in the state, comrade Yakubu Dauda, called on everyone including stakeholders in the education sector to reject any move to privatize government owned institutions in the country.
He Commended the governor for the payment of 100% salary to teachers in the state, saying the gesture as multivated them very greatly.
Speaking further on the the achievements of the governor in education in less than one year in office, he said “Your Excellency, we are also aware that Kogi State is up to date in the payment of UBEC counterpart fund that attracts massive investment in educational infrastructure. This noble and unprecedented gesture of Your Excellency is undoubtedly a call to double our efforts in the discharge of our duties as teachers and role models.
“My promise to Your Excellency today is that we shall remain Loyal and supportive of your lofty policies as you continue to pilot the affairs of our dear state to enviable heights. Your Excellency Sir, this year’s event is celebrated low key in most states of the Federation because of the economic hardship occasioned by increase in pump price of petrol, but we are celebrating loudly in Kogi State to
appreciate Your Excellency’s kind and favorable disposition to teachers welfare and for choosing one of us to serve with you as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
“It is worthy to note that the immediate past Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board is also a primary school teacher and former Chairman of NUT. Indeed we owe Your Excellency a debt of gratitude for this kind gesture and hereby reiterate that While commending the governor for picking their former chairman as his deputy, The NUT chairman assured the government of their commitment to duty.
The chairman listed some of their pressing challenges to include: “Cash backing of promotions, Payment of annual incremental rates, Training and retraining of teachers, Recruitment of teachers to address shortage of manpower in the basic education sub-sector and Provision of utility vehicle (Bus) to ease the activities of the Union,
within and outside the state.
The union condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), attack on the governor and his predecessor at his official residence in Abuja, saying this a clear invitation to anarchy.
In his remarks, the National president of the NUT, Comrade Audu Titus Amba , represented by Mrs Safiya Aliyu, commended the governor for paying attention to the welfare of teachers in the state and encouraged him to continue in that spirit.
The national President, thereafter presented an award of excellence to the governor for his contribution to the development of education and prioritizing the welfare of teachers in Kogi state
Speaking also, the Commissioner of education, Wemi Jones, represented by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education, (SUBEB), Abdulrazaq Muhammed, noted that education is one of the ten thematic areas of the current administration because of the importance the government attached to the sector.
The Special Adviser on Labour and former NLC chairman in the state, Onuh Edoka, Commended the governor for personally attending the teachers day celebrations in the state, saying that the governor is so dear to the hearts of The teachers of Kogi State because of his care for them.
“You must therefore be committed to your duties, because to whom much is given, much is also expected. Edoka charged the teachers.
The lecture on the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a new Social Contract for Education” was delivered by Prof. (Mrs), Fimilayo Fatokun, from the Department of Science Education, Federal university Lokoja.