Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Saturday awarded N47.8 million to outstanding primary and secondary school teachers in the state as a gesture of appreciation, encouragement, and motivation for others.
The awards were presented during the 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration, themed “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education.” The event, held at Ekitikete Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti, was attended by teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, and their counterparts from private schools.
The best teachers in the public primary and secondary school categories, Mrs. Folayemi Modupe of St. Francis Nursery and Primary School, Igbara Odo Ekiti, and Mr. Joshua Oriloye of Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi Ekiti, each received N6m.
First runners-up were awarded N2m each, while second runners-up received N1.5m each. Additionally, the two best school administrators were rewarded with N2m each. Other beneficiaries included the best private school teacher, distinguished teachers in digital skills and e-teaching, outstanding teachers with disabilities, and 26 teachers who received consolation prizes, totalling N47.8m.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, praised the pivotal role of teachers in human development, assuring that “this administration will continue to prioritise teachers’ welfare and ensure a more conducive learning environment in schools.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to education, Oyebanji highlighted key achievements, including the renovation of school buildings across all primary and junior secondary schools, and the training of 1,103 teachers in digital education.
He also noted, “We have paid over N2.5 billion as counterpart funding for Universal Basic Education Commission 2022 and 2023 projects under the State Universal Basic Education Board and undertaken massive infrastructure development in schools, alongside the distribution of learning and instructional materials.”
The Ekiti State NUT Chairman, Olaitan Daodu, praised Oyebanji’s efforts in advancing primary, secondary, and technical education, commending his commitment to free and compulsory education, tackling teacher misconduct, and paying leave bonuses. However, Daodu called for the payment of the 2018 leave bonus for secondary school teachers and the “immediate implementation of the 65 years of age or 40 years of service retirement policy,” which has been adopted by several other states.
ASUSS State Chairman, Sola Adigun, also praised Oyebanji’s contributions to teachers’ welfare, advocating for the elevation of teachers to grade level 17.