When teachers’ enthusiasm meets governor’s passion for excellence

Shortly before their departure for Abuja, this writer met the fourh presidential award nominees on the premises of the Ogun State secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The first question he posed to them was ‘Hope all is well?’ – to which they answered in the affirmative. Apparently, their mission at Oke-Mosan was to notify and seek the formal approval of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and that of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) before embarking on the journey to the FCT where the final selection would take place.

Having been shortlisted for various categories of the award, the expectation was high. The nominees included Mr Adeeko Olalekan, a teacher with Baptist Boys High School (Senior) Abeokuta, who had been shortlisted for the Best Teacher, Secondary School Category; Mr Adebiyi Temitayo of the Varsity Children Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, the Best Teacher, Private School Category; Mr Olalekan Dawodu, Principal, Mayflower School (Senior), Ikenne-Remo, whose school had been shortlisted for the Best Public School Category), and Mr Olaniyi Ogun, Principal, Adenrele High School (Junior), Ifo, the Best Administrator, Secondary School Category.

Also with the nominees on that breezy afternoon was Mr Femi Ayannuga, a classroom teacher with Kobape Community High School, Kobape, Abeokuta, whose penchant for the pen profession is quite legendary. Ayannuga is the leader of the ASUSS Press Crew (a crew comprising vibrant teachers dedicated to showcasing the activities of their members to the outside world, especially through the social media).

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As this writer engaged them, it was quite noticeable that behind the veiled uncertainty about what might be the final verdict in Abuja was the air of confidence and enthusiasm on the faces of these ambassadors.

Without any iota of doubt, the present administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State has demonstrated in words and deeds that the education industry will be restored to its pride of place, while the teaching profession will be taken to the sublime. His declaration of a state of emergency in the sector has further underscored his determination to take a holistic approach in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, as evidenced by the ongoing rehabilitation of primary school buildings (one per ward in each of the 236 wards); the new fresh breath of life given to the state-owned tertiary institutions, especially MAPOLY and Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE); the recent approval of 2015/ 2016 promotion of teachers for both primary and secondary schools and the abolition of levies and restoration of running costs to schools, among others.

Already, arrangement has been concluded to set up the Education Delivery Unit (EDU) which will enhance closer monitoring of the activities in the public schools while e-learning will also be introduced through the provision of instructional materials (tablets) to students to enable them to key into the uniform curriculum in schools.

At the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the President Teachers’ and School Excellence Award, the enthusiasm of the Ogun State ambassadors seemed to have met with the passion of Prince Dapo Abiodun as the state shone like a northern star by carting four out of the 20 available gifts at the event.

At the end of the exercise, Ogun State stood tall by clinching the coveted awards which include the Best Teacher, Private Schools, with star prize of a brand new Hyundai Accent (won by Adebiyi Temitayo of Varsity Children Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode); the first runner-up, Best Teacher, Public Schools, with prize of LG Chest Freezer, TV and DVD player (won by Adeeko of BBHS, Abeokuta); the first runner-up, Best Public School, with prize of freezer and photocopier (won by Dawodu for Mayflower School, Senior, Ikenne); the fifth runner-up, Best Administrator, Public School, with a prize of freezer and DVD player (won by Ogun of Adenrele High School, Ifo).

Receiving the awardees at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, an elated Governor Abiodun said: “If out of 15 awards we won four, it means there are just 11 others to share between the other 35 states.

Governor Abiodun, at the occasion, showered Mr Temitayo with a cash gift of N2 million; Mr Adeeko got N1.5 million; Mr Dawodu was given N1 million; while Mr Ogun collected N500,000.

It was, indeed, a day when enthusiasm met passion; and in the words of the state chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, “The award is dedicated to a visionary governor whose passion for the welfare of teachers have been felt just within a short period of assumption of office. We must continue to reciprocate the gesture.”