By Friday Idachaba
AS Teachers in Kogi State mark the 2024 World Teachers Day, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has pledged to make teachers’ welfare one of his topmost priorities to enhance productivity and enable them discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
Ododo who disclosed this at the Muhammadu Buhari Event Centre, Lokoja during a march past by the teachers as part of activities marking the Day, said his administration would continue to work for enhanced welfare of the teachers.
The Governor said that as those who mentored the present leaders and are still mentoring future leaders, teachers’ welfare would be the cardinal point of his administration.
He said that in line with the 2024 Teachers’ day theme: “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a new Social Contract for Education”, his administration had resolved to provide enhanced package and conducive working environment for teachers in the state.
He applauded Kogi teachers for their commitment to the provision of quality teaching and moulding the characters of the nation’s future leaders (children) for eventual contributions to the development of the state and the nation.
“The importance of the teaching profession cannot be overemphasized, as they are the ones who taught all other professionals. I will therefore continue to support them by attending to their welfare and providing them with a conducive working environment.
“In the forefront of agitations for improvement in the education sector are the teachers. We are going to work with you to achieve this. I commend your hard work and contribution to the development of our dear state”, the governor said.
He called on policy makers to to formulate good policies that would guide the development of the Education sector adding that his doors are opened to constructive engagements that would contribute to the overall development of the state.
He thanked the NUT National President for the award of excellence conferred on him, saying that the award message for him, is to do more for teachers and other sectors of the state economy.
In his welcome address, the state chairman of the NUT, comrade Yakubu Dauda, commended the governor for the payment of 100 per cent salary to teachers in the state, saying the gesture had motivated and encouraged them greatly.
Dauda however called on teachers and all stakeholders in the Education sector to reject any move to privatize government owned institutions in the country.
He commended Governor Ododo for being up to date in the payment of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart contributions that attract massive investment in educational infrastructure and development to the state.
The NUT chairman said teachers owed the governor a debt of gratitude for “picking our former chairman as your Deputy Governor” and assured the him of their support and commitment to duty.
Earlier, the National president of the NUT, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, represented by Mrs Safiya Aliyu, commended the governor and presented him an award of excellence for his contributions to the development of Education and placing premium on the welfare of teachers in Kogi state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Mr Wemi Jones, Special Adviser on Labour and former NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Onuh Edoka among others delivered goodwill messages at the occasion.
A lecture themed: “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a new Social Contract for Education” was delivered by Prof. (Mrs), Funmilayo Fatokun of the Department of Science Education, Federal University Lokoja (FUL). (Ends)