Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa at the weekend rewarded no fewer than 12 teachers with cars and cash gifts for outstanding performance of their duties, saying the era of teachers expecting their reward in Heaven is over.
Governor Okowa announced the rewards for teachers who emerged through a rigorous process at a Dinner and Awards night organized by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for teachers in Asaba on the sidelines of this year’s World Teachers Day.
Recipients of the awards were principals, headteachers and teachers at primary and secondary school levels, as they were charged to not only teach, but also develop the attitude and moral traits of their pupils.
Okowa, who told the awardees that the reward of teachers should not only in heaven, noted that diligent and hard work teachers should first be appropriately appreciated and rewarded here on earth. He said:
“I want to congratulate the awardees, and to let them know that the reward of teachers is not only in heaven. Teaching is a passion that genuinely flows from the heart.
“This type of recognition will touch the hearts of our teachers and make them to work harder in the development of our children.
“The teachers, just like parents, play an important role in the development and upbringing of the child. We need to continue to give care to our children and guide them aright because it is at this foundational level that we can mould their character.
“We need to get the moral development of the children aright at this level, so that it will be well with our nation, Nigeria.”
The governor commended the state Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for organising the event, and the NUT for its tremendous support and partnership in improving the education sector in the state.
