By BENJAMIN OMOIKE, LAGOS

Lagos State Government on Tuesday rewarded 12 outstanding public school teachers and administrators with 12 brand new cars.

Speaking during the Year 2020 Teachers Merit Award in Ikeja, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that the teaching profession was not a thankless job in the state. 

Sanwo-Olu said that the Annual Teachers’ Merit Award was proof that Lagos State will always reward excellent, committed and diligent teachers.

He said that the initiative was in line with the state government’s commitment to use education as a weapon to change the world. 

According to him, his administration recognises the essential role that teachers play in building a formidable society, which is why the government is committed to rewarding exceptional teachers on a regular basis. 

”This is one of the key strategies for the actualisation of the Education and Technology Pillar of our T-H-E-M-E-S agenda.

”We cannot thank our teachers enough for all they do: for the passion they bring to the job; for inculcating in our children the values they require to succeed; for going the extra mile to teach, train and equip our students to excel as global citizens. 

”The Teachers Merit Award is not only an avenue to reward our teachers’ exceptional efforts; it is a genuine way of promoting merit and encouraging the spirit of healthy competition amongst our teachers in Lagos State.

”We will continue to appreciate our teachers because the teaching profession is unique – it is a noble profession that involves building lives by imparting knowledge. None of us would be here today without teachers,” he said.

The governor commended the feats achieved by teachers in the state, especially in national competitions, as teachers keep placing Lagos on national pedestal.

He said that if teachers had such exceptional qualities, pupils and students would not only excel in academics but would exhibit innate sterling abilities in cognitive, psychomotor, affective and co-curricular areas of learning.

Sanwo-Olu said that the group of awardees would serve as Lagos State Ambassadors of Excellence in Education for the next one year.

He advised the teachers not to see the initiative as a contest but a way to motivate them to continue to put in their best, believing that such commitment would one day be rewarded.

”We will continue the massive investment in the education sector by improving the capacity and welfare of our school personnel, making the sector more ICT-compliant, exposing our teachers to international best practices as well as ensuring that our schools become a destination for work and learning,” Sanwo-Olu said.

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo said that the event was indeed a testament to a promise made and fulfilled. 

Adefisayo said that the nomination committee received over 3,200 applications and through stringent evaluation criteria, they were able to present the finalists. 

She commended the governor for his passion towards rewarding excellence, most especially enhancing the welfare of teachers and adding value to the growth of the education sector.

The Commissioner said that the finalists would be showcased and exposed to multiple opportunities which would enhance the vision of the state in restoring the prestige of the teaching profession.

She said that it would further encourage the return of teaching as a career of choice for the youths.

The winners of the 2020 award are Adesola Akindele, Temitope Gbadamosi, Temitope Ibiwunmi, Rasheed Odenike, Rebecca Oyinloye, Oluwaseun Balogun, Joshua Olasehinde, Abosede Padonu-Daniel, Ekundayo Ajiborisade, Tolulope Odusanya, Tawakalitu Akinleye and Ovinuyon Buhari. 

Each one of them was presented with a car, tablets, plaques, among other gifts.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Mrs Ovinuyon Buhari, said that the gesture by the governor was a dream come true. 

”We have been hearing about it and finally it is real,” Buhari said.

She commended the state government for their commitment towards supporting teachers and ensuring their welfare was given utmost priority. 

Buhari said that the screening process was indeed intense but fulfilling as they were able to learn better ways of delivering their service to their respective schools. 

She promised the governor that they won’t relent in ensuring qualitative teaching was retained in Lagos schools.