The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Mr Umar Bago on Wednesday rewarded three teachers with cars for outstanding performance and exemplary behaviour.
Bago, who was represented by his running mate, Alhaji Yakubu Garba, gave out the cars during the Commemoration and Teachers Award programme, organised by the Niger State Ministry of Education as part of activities for the 2022 World Teachers Day in Minna.
The NewsZenith reports that the theme of the event is “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers”
The cars are Toyota Yaris, Toyota Camry and Premacy Mazda.
“There is a need to celebrate the occasion and reward deserving teachers with a befitting gift to commemorate this day.
“This gift will help to boost their morale and encourage them to do more for the pupils and students,” Bago said.
Beneficiaries of the car were the best school principal, Mallam Mohammed Ndazuru of Alikimi Aliyu Day Secondary School Mokwa, the best primary school teacher, Yusufu Ibrahim of Central primary school kwatachi, Mashegu and the best Secondary School teacher from Dandaudu, Mr Daniel Loguma.
Bago also gave N100,000 to five schools in five Local government areas for standing out amongst other schools in academics and competitions.
Similarly, the Niger State Ministry of Education presented 15 gas cookers,15 refrigerators, 15 televisions, seven cash prizes, 65 plaques and eight certificates to deserving teachers.
The State Chairman, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Niger state chapter, Mr Akayago Mohammed, called on the Niger State Government to recruit newly qualified teachers to fill in the existing vacancies at both primary and post-primary schools.
Mohammed said that there was a dearth of teachers as many had died and retired hence the need to fill the vacancy created by the vacuum.
He also appealed to the Niger government to domesticate the gesture of 65 years or 40 years of service whichever comes first by releasing an executive order to this effect.
Also speaking Gov. Sani Bello of Niger state, who was represented by his Deputy Alhaji Armed Ketso, said that the state would launch the teacher’s endorsement fund with the sum of N50,000,000.
He said the implementation would commence after a well-developed framework.
“There is going to be a continuation for the process of recruitment of qualified teachers ìn the 2023 fiscal year to make up for attrition due to retirement, death and inter-service staff movement.
“Government will do everything to ensure that basic education sector which is the foundation of education is firmly laid for the entrenchment of a sustainable educational system that will guarantee a good life for our children.
“I am assuring teachers that the implementation of outstanding promotions and annual increment and full implementation of teachers’ special salary will begin,” he said.
