The Federal Government of Nigeria says the continuous investment by private sector in educational infrastructure represents the needed resolve to ensure the development of skilled manpower in Nigeria.
Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education while speaking when an ultra-modern block of classrooms, library and toilet facilities was donated to Government Day Secondary School, Karu, Abuja by the Nigerian Breweries organisers of the of the prestigious Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative – a brainchild of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, commended the company for its commitment to the development of education.
Adamu Adamu who was represented at the occasion by Lami Amodu, director, Basic and Secondary Education expressed his delight at commissioning the model block of six classrooms in honour of Olasunkanmi Opeifa.
According to him, “The company has been at the forefront of improving the educational sector by continually investing in educational infrastructure, encouraging teachers and students in the country. With initiatives such as the Maltina Teacher of the year and, the various school intervention programmes, the story of the development of Education in Nigeria cannot be complete without Nigerian Breweries”.
The construction of the facilities in the school is part of the prize won by Opeifa Olasunkanmi for emerging as the 2018 Maltina Teacher of the Year. He also got One million Five Hundred Thousand Naira cash prize, a capacity development programme plus another One million Naira to be paid to him annually for five years.
Jordi Borrut Bel, managing director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., explained that the gesture embarked upon by the company is in line with its commitment to Winning with Nigeria and also part of the its contribution to the advancement of education in Nigeria through the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative.
Bel who was represented by Vivian Ikem, head, Government Relations, Nigerian Breweries Plc. Says the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative is hinged on a realisation that teachers hardly get the recognition they deserve in spite of the pivotal role they play in determining the quality of our education and the future of our country, Bel stated that the idea of the school-based project was to ensure that when a teacher wins, his community also benefits.
In her remarks, the principal of the school, Funmilayo Kayode expressed great appreciation to Nigerian Breweries for what she described as a historic moment, not just for the school but Karu Community and the nation as a whole. “This goes to show that there is hope for education in our country. The Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative has greatly changed the course of history for teachers and schools in the country.” She said.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the 2018 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Olasunkanmi Opeifa charged teachers to rededicate themselves to the profession noting that teachers’ rewards are no longer to be enjoyed in heaven but rather while they are alive.
KELECHI EWUZIE
