LAGOS: Sanwo-Olu rewards 12 teachers with brand new cars, other gifts

*Inaugurates awardees as teachers’ ambassadors

By Samuel Benjamin

GOVERNOR Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, today, presented cars among other gifts to outstanding teachers and school administrators in the state, as part of his promise to reward excellence and hard work in the teaching profession.

Speaking at the grand finale of the ‘Y2020 Teachers Merit Awards’ held at the Sports Pavilion, Lagos House Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu said the initiative is in line with the state government’s commitment to use education as a weapon to change the world, adding that through education, which represents the third pillar of his administration’s T-H-E-M-E-S agenda, a template was developed towards rewarding selflessness, dedication and diligence amongst teachers in the State.

The Governor appreciated the feats achieved by teachers in the state, especially in national competitions in his words, ‘’our teachers keep placing Lagos on national pedestal’’

Sanwo-Olu stated that if teachers have such exceptional qualities, pupils will not only excel in academics but will also exhibit innate sterling abilities in cognitive, psychomotor, affective and co-curricular areas of learning.

In his words, Sanwo-Olu urged “our teachers continue to uphold the ethics of the teaching profession and display an uncommon sense of responsibility and greater commitment to duty.”

The governor affirmed that the group of awardees will 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 will 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,” he stated.

 In her welcome address, Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo stated that the event is indeed a testament to a promise made and fulfilled. She noted hthat the committee received over 3200 applications and through stringent evaluation criteria, they were able to present the finalists. 

 Adefisayo lauded 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, while delivering her remarks, enthused that the finalist will be showcased and exposed to multiple opportunities which will enhance the vision of the State in restoring the prestige of the teaching profession and further encourage the return of teaching as a career of choice for the youths.

The winners of this year’s car gifts are Adesola Akindele, Temitope Gbadamosi, Temitope Ibiwunmi, Rasheed Odenike, Rebecca Oyinloye, Oluwaseun Balogun, Joshua Olasehinde, Abosede Padonu-Daniel, Ekundayo Ajiborisade, Tolulope Odusanya, Tawakalitu Akinleye, Ovinuyon Buhari. Each one of them was presented with a car, tablets, plaques, among other ifts.

Responding and appreciating Sanwo-Olu on behalf of the awardees, an elated Mrs. Ovinuyon Buhari remarked that this gesture by the governor is a dream come true. 

“We’ve been hearing about it and finally it is real,’’ said Mrs. Ovinuyon Buhari, whoappreciated the state government for its  commitment towards supporting teachers and ensuring their welfare is given utmost priority. She concluded 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 is retained in Lagos Schools.