Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has awarded N47.8 million to exceptional primary and secondary school teachers in the state as part of his efforts to recognize and motivate educators.
The awards were presented on Saturday during the 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at Ekitikete Pavilion in Ado Ekiti.
The theme of the event was “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” and it was attended by teachers from public and private schools, including members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools.
Mrs. Folayemi Modupe of St. Francis Nursery and Primary School, Igbara Odo Ekiti, and Mr. Joshua Oriloye of Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi Ekiti, emerged as the best teachers in the public primary and secondary school categories. Each was rewarded with N6 million.
The first runners-up received N2 million each, while the second runners-up were given N1.5 million each. Two best school administrators were also awarded N2 million each. Other categories of awardees included the best private school teacher, distinguished teachers in digital skills, outstanding teachers with disabilities, and 26 teachers who received consolation prizes.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, praised the role of teachers in shaping society and promised continued support for their welfare. “This administration will continue to prioritize teachers’ welfare and ensure a more conducive learning environment in schools,” Afuye said.
The governor highlighted some of his administration’s achievements in education, including the renovation of school buildings, training of over 1,100 teachers in digital education, and the allocation of more than N2.5 billion as counterpart funding for Universal Basic Education projects.
The Ekiti State NUT Chairman, Olaitan Daodu, commended Oyebanji’s efforts in improving the education sector. He praised the governor for promoting free and compulsory education and addressing teacher misconduct, while also urging for the payment of the 2018 leave bonus and the implementation of the 65-year retirement age policy.
ASUSS State Chairman, Sola Adigun, also lauded the governor’s commitment to teachers’ welfare and called for the elevation of teachers to grade level 17 in the civil service.
The awards were part of the state’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day, which aims to appreciate the contributions of educators to society.
