Oyo State Teachers Shine at 2023 Presidential Teachers and School Excellence Awards
In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, three educators from Oyo State were recognized for their exceptional contributions to education at the 2023 Presidential Teachers and School Excellence Awards held at the Eagle’s Square in Abuja.
These awards underscored the commitment of the Oyo State government to making the teaching profession more attractive and rewarding.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, during the World Teachers’ Day celebration.
The Oyo State awardees were among winners from various public and private primary and secondary schools across the country.
The recipients from Oyo State are as follows:
- Mr. Babarinlo Samson Oluwaseun – Head Teacher, Methodist Basic School, Iseyin.
- Mr. Amoo Joseph – Principal, Government College, Ibadan.
- Barrister Odejayi Olatunde Adedamilola – Proprietor, Second Home College, Olodo, Ibadan.
World Teachers’ Day, celebrated globally on October 5, 2023, saw Oyo State educators joining their peers from around the world in recognizing the vital role they play in shaping the future.
Prof. Adelabu emphasized the Oyo State government’s commitment to education sector reforms, including increasing the number of teachers in primary schools.
He noted that this effort has significantly reduced the number of out-of-school children in the state, earning it recognition as one of the best-performing states in the nation.
The Commissioner commended teachers for their dedication and highlighted the Oyo State Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for its unwavering support of the government.
He added that past studies have shown that teacher shortages often result from poor salaries, working conditions, and high student-teacher ratios.
However, He said that Oyo State has addressed these issues, making the profession more appealing.
In response, Prof. Adelabu called on teachers to reciprocate the government’s goodwill by delivering quality education in the state.
Pastor Akinade Alamu, Chairman of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for his efforts to enhance the teaching profession’s attractiveness and create a conducive environment for educators.
He said that despite the profession’s ongoing challenges, the Oyo State government remains committed to improving teachers’ lives.
Comrade Raji Oladimeji, State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, expressed his gratitude for the support teachers have received from the government.
He commended the prompt payment of salaries, clearance of deductions, and increased car loans as positive gestures toward educators.
The event featured awards presented to Engr. Dotun Sanusi, Chairman of the occasion, and a march-past by teachers from different zones in Oyo State.
Stakeholders in the education sector, including Mrs. Olaide Ladipo, Acting Executive Secretary of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, and Education Secretaries, among others, graced the event.
World Teachers’ Day, established in 1994, commemorates the signing of the 1966 International Labour Organization/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ILO/UNESCO) recommendation concerning the status of teachers. In 2023, the theme of the celebration was “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.”
Signed:
Media Team,
Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board,
October 5, 2023.
