Nigerian Breweries has so far spend about N180 million in the last four editions of its Maltina Teacher-of-the-Year competition, a CSR intervention project on Nigeria’s education sector.
The company which recorded a turnover of N324 billion in 2018 financial year had last week also flagged off the 2019 edition of the Teacher-of-the-Year competition which began in 2015.
The winner in each of the last four years of the competition received N1m, a trophy and another N1 million every year for the next five years. The winners also got block of classrooms estimated at N25m each built at the school where he or she teaches.
Also in the last four years, each first runner-up received N1 million and a trophy, while the second runner-up got N750,000 and a trophy. In addition, each state champion, including the winner and the first and the second runners-up received N500, 000. The state champions are also sponsored to Lagos for the grand finale of the competition which holds every October. The winning prizes remain the same for 2019 edition.
This year, the company has added ‘Thatoneteacher’ award. This segment allows individuals including students to nominate teachers they know that have made impact. They are expected to post this on social media and receive likes. The teachers that received highest likes are rewarded.
Entry for the 2019 award opened on May 16 and closes on July 12, this year. In 2018, about 641 applications were received under the competition. This figure is expected to increase as awareness increases coupled with addition of ‘Thatoneteacher’ award.
Speaking on the 2019 edition, the new Corporate Affairs director of NB, Sade Morgan said the programme executed under the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund foundation of the company is part of winning with Nigeria. Under the foundation, the company has constructed 417 blocks in various schools, recognised 95 teachers and impacted some tertiary institutions.
She said the idea of Maltina Teacher award initiative was to recognise and celebrate teachers who rarely get the recognition they deserve in spite of the crucial role they play in shaping the quality of education and the society.
Also speaking, Lami Ahmadu of Federal Ministry of Education commended NB for embarking on an incentive that will stimulate teaching profession. She noted that no development can be achieved without teachers.
Similarly, Mike Eneh, the secretary of NUT underlined education as the focal point for any nation to move to the next level. He appealed to other corporate organisations to emulate NB.
Daniel Obi
