As FG gives awards to outstanding teachers, schools
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has reiterated the call on government, at all levels, to give improved attention to the management of the education sector in the country.
The former Vice President made this remark in commemoration of World Teachers’ Day, which is celebrated yearly on October 5.
Atiku, who spoke during commissioning of the S.H.E Initiative office in Abuja, yesterday, said it was regrettable that education is not getting the proper attention it deserves from all stakeholders.
The Security Health and Education (S.H.E) Initiative is the brainchild of Atiku’s wife, Hajiya Titi Amina Abubakar.
According to Atiku, poor management of the education sector, which is manifested in poor remuneration of teachers and attendant consequence of prolonged industrial strike action by teachers, cannot engender the kind of progress and development the country desires.
He said: “With the increasing expansion of the poverty line across all age demographics, the smartest direction to go is to invest in education. When people are educated, it becomes a lot easier for them to create wealth and make personal decisions that will promote a good lifestyle for their families and the society.
“The current practice whereby education takes the last rung of our investment priorities is not only self-sabotaging, it is indeed a threat to national security.
“Most of the challenges that face us today in the name of security issues are concerns that started from illiteracy and later grew to economic disempowerment, which soon grew into national security concerns.”
MEANWHILE, the Federal Government, yesterday, rewarded teachers in private and public schools, who had distinguished themselves in the course of their professional duties.
Adefemi Adeola Adeduke, from Oke-Edo High School, Alimosho, Lagos State and Ugokwe Marilyn Uchenna from Susu College, Npkor, Anambra State, won the best teacher award for public and private schools, respectively.
They were rewarded with brand new cars.
Chukwunedum Sabina Ijeoma, from Abbot Girls Secondary School, Ihiala, Anambra State, won the best administrator for public school category, while Yakubu-Oyinloye Tokunbo Fumilayo, from Queens College, Lagos, won the best administrator for Unity Collages. Each got a car award.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, presented the awards.
