Teaching, noble profession, teachers vital to nation-building

Education stakeholders have stated that the teaching profession is a noble one that requires the sacrifice, commitment, and dedication of teachers towards the development of students, schools, and nations.

The stakeholders stated this recently in Ibadan during an event for teachers, in commemoration of World Teachers Day, themed, ‘The Role of Teachers in Nation Building’, organised by the John Okuwobi Foundation Trust in partnership with the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the Nigerian Universities Education Students Association, University of Ibadan (NUESA UI).

The chairman of the foundation, Emmanuel, in his opening remarks, said that the event was their way of giving back to society, the Oyo State government that gave them education, and the way of contributing their quota to the development of education in the state.

“We need innovation in the teaching profession. The government cannot do it alone. Beyond the classroom, we should impact students’ and teachers’ lives,” Emmanuel said.

The keynote speaker, a counsellor and officer of the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Oluwatosin Aderibigbe, said that the character and intellect required to build a nation are learnt in schools, and therefore, transformative education and teaching anchored on ethics and discipline are needed in this regard.

“Behind any profession or career is a teacher. Teachers are role models. They inspire. They are the first line of defence against moral and social decadence. Fairness and justice are learnt in schools,” Aderibigbe said.

The counsellor noted that the classroom is a macrocosm of any nation, and that if the classroom is not safe and the wrong things are taught, that is what the students will showcase in society. In light of this, he urged teachers to master themselves and their crafts so that students can emulate them.

The Deputy Director, Quality Assurance Department, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Education, Mrs A. A. Subaui, commended the foundation for the workshop, adding that gestures like this go a long way in motivating teachers and supporting the government in impacting students, schools, and the nation.

Earlier, the proprietor of GraceLand Prime School, Mrs Mary Ajayi, stressed that teachers are nation builders, adding that anything that anyone can become is inspired by a teacher.

“There is hardly any person who is impacting lives and society that is not impacted by a teacher. A teacher’s reward is not only in heaven, but also on earth,” Mrs Ajayi said.

The founder of the foundation, John Okuwobi, advised students to do their best and learn the best from their teachers so that they can be able to impact others and society, adding, “Teachers should do more than teach. They should be a source of inspiration and an avenue for mentorship.”

Some of the participants described teachers in their own words, thanking them for their efforts, time, sacrifice, and commitment to students, schools, society, and the nation.