Niger State Government through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Niger State Wing and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning & Empowerment (AGILE) joined the globe in recognizing teachers as the World Teachers Day is commemorated.
The World Teachers Day is a UNESCO event annually held every October 5 to celebrate Teachers all over the world, using the avenue to reflect on how to support teachers in their quest of imparting knowledge.
Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago at the event held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre Minna, acknowledged the numerous challenges teachers face in practicing their profession.
The Farmer Governor who was represented by the Niger State House of Assembly Majority leader, Musa Idris Vatsa however reassured teachers that the State Government is introducing several measures that will squarely address their challenges.
He said, the State Government is closely working with all relevant stakeholders including the legislature to improve on the education sector which is why half of next year’s budget will be for the development of the education sector.
Farmer Governor Umaru Bago also admitted that, for the State to forge ahead, there is the need to work as a team to achieve set objective.
To forge ahead, there is a need to work as a team to achieve a common purpose of developing the education sector in line with the New Niger Agenda while also restating his resolve to work with the Nigeria Union of Teachers for the overall development and progress of the teaching profession.
In his address, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT Niger State Chapter, Comrade Adamu Mohammed Akayago said
in spite of the daunting economic challenges in the country, teachers in the State remain committed to offering invaluable contributions to Nation building and through shaping the lives of children and society in general.
While commending the tremendous efforts of Farmer Governor Umaru Bago in his efforts towards educational development in the State, he however called on the Government to address teachers plight by attending to their challenges squarely.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Muhammad while acknowledging the significant role of teachers in the society said, their profession goes beyond imparting knowledge but also entails shaping of character, instilling values, and inspiring generations.
She admitted that the theme of this year’s World Teachers Day resonates deeply as measures are introduced to address the evolving challenges in the education system adding that, the State Government will continue to support and empower them, assuring them of the commitment to providing professional development opportunities, promoting mental health, and advocating improved working conditions for all educators.
In a Keynote address on the theme, ” Valuing Teachers voice; towards a new social contract for education”, the Executive Director, Niger State Teachers Development Institute, Dr. Mustapha Ibrahim Lemu advocated that teachers should be included in decision making process to give them room for inclusiveness.
There were goodwill messages by representatives from various Institutions including the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Educational Research & Development Council, Nigeria Labour Congress Niger State Chapter and the State Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Girl Initiative for Learning & Empowerment who all acknowledged the significant role of teachers with a call for more support for them.
There were presentations of merit awards and gifts to dignitaries, Principals, Headteachers and teachers who have in one way or the other exhibited high sense of commitment to the growth of the education sector in Niger State.
