Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has acknowledged the pivotal roles of teachers in shaping the future of children with the right education for national development.
Governor Oborevwori stated this during the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Delta State wing 8th Quadrennial (9th State ) delegates Conference held at the Government College in Ughelli.
The conference with the theme, “Motivation of Teachers; a Panacea for Improving Education Standards”, had Dr. Hillary Odor as the Guest Speaker.
The governor maintained that for teachers to effectively carry out the crucial role of moulding the future leaders in the present fast changing world, they needed to keep learning and upgrading their skills.
Oborevwori emphasized the importance of quality education in the realisation of the MORE Agenda of his administration, adding that the state government under his watch had employed over 2000 teachers while timely promotions and provision of better working conditions in the education sector remained top priorities of his administration.
He assured that the present administration in state would keep supporting programmes that centered on innovations, research and entrepreneurship which would prepare students for the future.
“Teachers are the heart of national development, they shape the future by giving knowledge, values and skills to the next generation.
“I encourage you to keep learning and upgrading your skills to meet the needs of today’s fast changing world.
“The theme: “Motivation of Teachers, a Panacea for Improving Education Standards” is apt and in-line with the MORE Agenda of this administration and to demonstrate this we have employed over 2000 teachers, improved school buildings, ensured timely promotion and made working conditions for teachers better,” Oborevwori said.
The governor who was represented at the occasion by the commissioners for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu and that of Primary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, respectively, described education as the most powerful weapon that could be used to positively transform the world and assured the commitment of his administration to continue to support and empower the realisation of that mission.
The governor said that it was not enough for teachers to always complain about motivations, but that it was more important to do their best to justify their requests for such motivations.
Oborevwori commended the union, led by Comrade Titus Okotie in the state for its partnership with the state government which had greatly improved the education system in the state.
“I wish you fruitful discussion as I look forward to results that will make education in our state even better,” he added.
Dr. Ashibogwu in his goodwill message on behalf of the Delta State Ministry of Primary Education, expressed the willingness of the ministry to collaborate with the union in motivating teachers across the state.
He noted that motivation could be intrinsic and extrinsic and encouraged teachers to prioritize the intrinsics over the extrinsics for the betterment of the children under their care.
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Ashibogwu used the medium to appeal to the union to be patient with the state government as he expressed the optimism that the issue of stagnation of university graduate teachers in primary schools would soon be resolved in the state.
Speaking on the election of new officers for the union, Ashibogwu advised delegates to vote only credible candidates, fit enough for the jobs, adding that their decision would either mar or make the union in the next four years.
Earlier, the outgoing NUT Chairman, Comrade Titus Okotie, in a welcome address listed some of the achievements of the union as the chairman to include elongation of service years of teachers/staff to 65 years of age or 40 years of service, integration of ICE teachers into NUT , facelift of NUT (Teachers House) complex, sponsoring of NUT officials on local and international workshops.
He however, bemoaned the delay in the approval of promotions for university graduate teachers in the primary school system beyond salary grade level 14 and the non inclusion of NUT in the Governing Councils of Delta State University and the two colleges of Education in the state.
