A Lagos State teacher, Adeola Adefemi, has won the ninth edition of Maltina Teacher of the Year award.

At the event in Lagos, on Friday night, Adefemi through that feat became the first Lagos teacher to have won the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award, defeating 1,499 others who participated in the competition.

Adefemi teaches English Language at Keke Senior High School, Agege, under the state’s Education District 1.

For emerging winner of the MTOY award, Adefemi would receive a total cash prize of N6.5m from Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund, while the first runner-up, Azuh Chike Emmanuel from Delta State and second runner-up, Adam Abdulqadir Nda from Niger would get N1.5m and N1.250m respectively.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by State Commissioner for Basic Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said teaching is an honourable profession.

He added that teachers are parents of every student when in school.
“It is the pride of every teacher to see his or her ward succeed in life. We are proud of this award, which supports and empowers teachers.
“Our administration in Lagos will continue to support creativity and performance of teachers on the job.”

No subject area in our public schools will lack qualified teachers. I commend the organisers for continuing this award.”

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, noted that no education reform could take place without teachers.
“This event is an impactful landmark. It sets out to celebrate outstanding teachers. No education reform will take place without teachers. Our education is focused on developing children through the efforts of teachers.

“The new national policy on education is aimed at capacity building and many more. All these are in alignment with the agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is important to support this administration to achieve the agenda,” he said.

Earlier, Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sade Morgan, said that entries for this year were the highest ever in the history of the competition.

“We had 1499 entries, the highest number ever. It shows the competition is popular and recognised in Nigeria. We had 1203 eligible entries. Teachers who participated are registered members of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN),” she said.

The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund was set up in 1994 with a startup capital of N100m to enable and sustain quality education through structured intervention in the sector.

The fund has footprints across the six geographical zones in Nigeria at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education.