THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS IN IKORODU DIVISION CELEBRATE WORLD TEACHERS' DAY IN GRAND STYLE. Monarchs, Legislator, others, bestow with Excellent Awards.

The fifth day of October is a day set aside worldwide to celebrate the selfless sacrifices of teachers and to build the world and its constituents for world peace and technological advancement. Same was done in Ikorodu when the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Ikorodu Branch, marked its World Teachers' Day Celebration in a unique way on Saturday, 5th of October 2019, at LGEA's Office, Ikorodu.

The laudable event organized by the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Ikorodu Branch, under the leadership of Comrade Oluwafemi Oluwaseun Fakolade, kicked off with opening prayer and solidarity song led by the people of the high table.

World Teachers’ Day commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO /UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This Recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.

NUT Chairman, Ikorodu branch, Comr. Fakolade, in his welcome speech said “WTD is held annually since 5th of October since 1994. It commensurate the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation for further education, recruitment, empowerment, teaching and learning conditions.

“We have gone further to improve our relationship with the traditional institutions of Ikorodu Division, the blessings and opinions of our royal fathers is one of our major backing. Also, there’s harmonious relationship that now exist amongst Ikorodu teachers irrespective of either primary or secondary sector. ANCOPS & AOPSHON are now relating positively well, speaking well with one voice. The entire teachers of Ikorodu are now one big family."

Fakolade added, “the NUT COOP/Aerobic Centre is 80% completed. It will housed the office of the cooperative body of the union. As part of efforts on making life easier for the teachers, NUT Ikorodu facilitated easy National Identity Card Registration for the teachers."

Former Commissioner for Information and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba (Comr) Ayodele Elesho, after paying homage to the royal heads and other notable dignitaries, he said, “this gathering offers us the privilege to meet, interact and celebrate with ICONs in the education sector to share knowledge, ideas and most importantly to appreciate and honor our leaders who have contributed immensely to the sector.

“To become successful in life, the role of teachers cannot be over-emphasized. Teachers develop our career and businesses. They helped us to become good citizen of the country. Teachers known that the students/pupils are the future of any nation, teachers are the surrogate parents, counselors, mentors, this buttered the assertion of MAGGIE GALLAGHER.

"Today, without mincing words, NUT branch under the indefatigable leadership of Comr. Fakolade Oluwafemi Oluwaseun has placed the branch on the highest golden pedestrial. The branch had become an enviable one amongst other branches of the union, not only in Lagos State but the whole federation. The harmonious cooperation amongst teachers of Ikorodu cannot be over-emphasized. Positively, teachers hope has been raised. Teachers' welfare has been taking paramount place in the heart of the present EXCO.

“I hereby submit that you’re not just teachers to the students/pupils, you are their HEROES! please continue to be resourceful, keep confidential information, improve yourself, be punctual at work, be result oriented, provide a total care that produces a total child, pay attention to your personal hygiene and of course be a true professional that is always willing to share knowledge with other colleagues. Your reward will surely come on this earth and also in heaven.” Elesho said.

Mr. John Abiodun, Principal of Lagos State Junior Model College Igbokuta, in his key note address said “teaching itself is a process of impacting knowledge through the citizens from one generation to the other. It is an amalgamation of activities which eventually focus to achieve a well planned and well desired goal.

"Professor  Shofunwa in 1974 defined education as what each generation gives to its younger ones, which make them to develop attitudes, abilities, skills, culture and other behaviors which are of positive value to the society in which they lives.

"There’s a concern that not enough young people are pursuing education as a profession, as they all wants to be engineers, accountants, doctors, nurses among others, meaning there could be teachers shortage as older educators retire in the coming decade.

“Without a new generation of motivated teachers, millions of learners will miss out , or continue to miss out on their right to a quality education . With teachers disrespected, undervalued and unpaid, attracting and retaining talent is a challenge," the Principal explained.

Meritorious awards were given to the Royal heads, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba AbdulSemiu Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade and other teachers were presented with awards.

Other dignitaries in attendance are, Alhaji Olawale Amusa, Comr. Kara Adeleke, Comr. Waheed M.E, Comr Yusuf K.M, Comr Fashakin, Comr. Abdul lateef, Mr. John Abiodun, chiefs-in-council, league of Baale’s, NUT Excos among others

MICHEAL YEKINNI
Reporting for MegaXpression Community Magazine