The long held notion that teachers reward was in heaven no long hold sway as Nigeria Breweries through its flagship malt brand Maltina rewarded the love for the greatest profession as Oluwabunmi Anani, a teacher with Concordia College, Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State has emerged worthy winner of the 2020 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award.
For the feat, Anani an English language teacher for winning the coveted award received a total cash prize of N6.5 million and capacity training abroad while a block of classrooms will be built for her school.
Anani was named as the winner on Friday at the low keyed grand finale of the 2020 Maltina Teacher of the year award ceremony event at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Education while speaking at the event, lauded Nigeria Breweries’s unflinching commitment in supporting the education sector by rewarding high performing teachers through the annual Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative.
Nwajiuba noted that it was heartwarming to note that the company is keeping faith with this initiative despite the disruptive impact of the coronavirus pandemic on businesses and economy.
Jordi Borrut Bel, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, in his welcome address, explained that the initiative was designed to recognize, celebrate and motivate teachers whose stories have become great reminders of their role in laying the foundation for a good society.
While congratulating the finalists alongside state champions for coming this far, he stated that the role of teachers cannot be underestimated given their contribution to shaping and moulding lives. “With the Maltina Teacher of the Year, we are saying that our teachers can and should be rewarded for their roles in the development of our nation”, Bel said.
On her part, Folashade Adefisayo, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Lagos State, who represented the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended Nigerian Breweries Plc while noting that teachers play a significant role in nation-building given their contribution in imparting knowledge in the lives of their students.
Sade Morgan, corporate affairs director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, stated that the sixth edition was a clear improvement from the preceding year in terms of participation as the initiative received 1234 entries from teachers all over the country despite the short submission period and other challenges caused by coronavirus pandemic.
Morgan commended the resilience and uncommon passion of teachers for defying the odds by finding new ways to teach students virtually despite the technological limitation noted that their contribution during the difficult period lends credence to their critical role in societal development.
The journey to receiving this award started earlier in the year when she was nominated. After the screening of all nominated candidates and portfolio presentation of the successful candidates, Anani was declared winner by the panel of judges.
Everywhere in the world, teachers play a vital role in sustainable national development by training, coaching and modeling which is critical to determining the quality of education.
The Maltina Teacher of the Year, established to recognise, reward and celebrate exceptional teachers in Nigeria, is an initiative on the platform of the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. Teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector have praised Nigerian Breweries for the initiative
Since its debut, the Maltina Teacher of the Year has produced five grand prize winners. At the inaugural edition in 2015, a teacher with the Federal Government Girls College, Onitsha, Anambra State, Rose Nkemdilim Obi blazed the trail, while Imoh Essien, a teacher from Special Education Centre for Exceptional Children, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, won in 2016.
In 2017, Felix Udochukwu Ariguzo, a teacher with Mastercare International School, Asaba, Delta State, emerged winner, Samuel Olasunkanmi Opeifa from Government Secondary School, Abuja emerged champion in 2018, while Collins Ezem, a Christian Religion and civic education teacher at Royal Family academy, Wuye Abuja for his truly innovative approach to teaching pupils emerged worthy winner of the 2019 Maltina Teacher of the Year Award.
In attendance at the sixth edition of the programme were thought leaders in the Nigerian education sector such as registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Josiah Ajiboye, among others.
