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Nigerian teachers shone, were recognised and received awards as Maltina, first locally produced malt drink in Africa’s biggest economy unveiled ‘Teacher of the Year’, 2017.
The Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative aims to identify and celebrate exceptional teachers in Nigeria. The initiative is open to teachers in all secondary schools across the country. Champions emerge from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory from among whom the overall winner emerges.
This year, Felix Udochukwu Ariguzo, a teacher with Mastercare International School, Asaba, Delta State, emerged Maltina Teacher of the Year, in what was evidently the climax of the competition’s grand finale held October 12, in Lagos.
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Ariguzo smiled home with N1 million in addition to N500, 000 he received as Delta State champion. He will also receive N1 million every year for five years, a training programme abroad and a block of six classrooms built at his school.
A teacher of Biology and Chemistry, Ariguzo said he draws inspiration for teaching from his love for service and knowledge building. He thanked Nigerian Breweries Plc, for the gesture and enjoined other corporate organisations to follow the worthy example. “Today, I am very happy and proud that Nigerian Breweries has shown that teachers’ rewards are both in heaven and on earth.”
The 38-year-old son of a teacher maintained that teaching is not about earning a living, but giving life a meaning and that strong passion and emotional stability are vital in the teaching profession.
Chika Ume-Ezeoke, a Biology teacher with Our Lady of Apostle, Yaba, Lagos State, emerged the first runner-up, while Samuel Emochuaogu an English teacher with Winners International Academy, Agudama-Epie, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State clinched the second runner-up position.
Each of the 27 State Champions received Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000) while the1st and 2nd runners-up got an additional One Million Naira (N1, 000, 000) and Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N750, 000) respectively.
In his welcome address, Johan Doyer, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., stated that in line with its philosophy of ‘Winning with Nigeria’, the company resolved in 1994, to play a more active role in the development of education in Nigeria when it established the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund with a commencement capital of N100 million naira.
The fund, according to him, has affected the lives over 25,000 students across the country, built 31 classroom blocks and 30 libraries equipped with furniture and books in both primary and secondary schools across various communities.
Doyer, added that in 2015, NBL’s intervention in education was expanded to include teachers when the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative was launched. The initiative he said was hinged on the realisation that teachers hardly get the recognition they deserve in spite of the pivotal role they play in determining the quality of education and the future of our country.
“Today’s grand finale gives us an opportunity to share happiness with our teachers and I hope that this initiative reminds everyone to support and encourage our teachers always” Doyer said.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, represented by Adesina Odeyemi, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, described teachers as the most critical asset of the nation and thanked the Nigerian Breweries for the initiative, which she described as a big boost to teachers and the teaching profession.
The Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative has so far, produced 69 State Champions and three overall winners. In 2015, Rose Nkemdilim Obi from the Federal Government Girls College, Onitsha, Anambra State emerged Maltina Teacher of the Year while Imoh Enoh Essien, a teacher at the Special Education Center for Exceptional Children, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State won in 2016.
STEPHEN ONYEKWELU
