Ayodele Olalere
Twelve outstanding Lagos teachers were on Tuesday presented with brand new cars by the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the 2020 Lagos Teachers Merit Award held at the State House, Ikeja.
The 12 finalists were chosen out of the 23 semi-finalists who were selected out of the 3,200 applicants for the award.
The winners were Temitope Gbadamosi, Temitope Ibiwumi, Rasheed Odenike, Rebecca Oyinloye, Oluwaseun Balogun, Joshua Olasehinde, Abosede Padonu-Daniel, Ekundayo Ajiborisade, Ovinuyon Buhari, Tolulope Odusanya, Adesola Akindele and Tawakalitu Akinleye.
While presenting keys to the cars to the winners, Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said his administration will ‘leave no stone unturned in molding lives, building character, and preparing our students for a productive future.
“Teaching is not a thankless job in Lagos State. The annual Teachers’ Merit Award is proof that Lagos State will always reward excellent, committed, and diligent teachers. Our administration is cognizant of the essential role that teachers play in building a formidable society, which is why we are committed to rewarding exceptional teachers on a regular basis. This is one of the key strategies for the actualization of the Education and Technology Pillar of our T-H-E-M-E-S agenda,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He commended the teachers for for all they do in grooming future leaders.
“We cannot thank our teachers enough for all they do: for the passion they bring to the job; for inculcating in our children the values they require to succeed; for going the extra mile to teach, train and equip our students to excel as global citizens. The Teachers Merit Award is not only an avenue to reward our teachers’ exceptional efforts; it is a genuine way of promoting merit and encouraging the spirit of healthy competition amongst our teachers in Lagos State.”
He promised his administration’s commitment to improving living standard of teachers.
“We will continue to appreciate our teachers because the teaching profession is unique- it is a noble profession that involves building lives by imparting knowledge. None of us would be here today without teachers.
I am extremely proud of the contributions of our hardworking and diligent teachers to the development of the education sector in our State. Our teachers keep placing Lagos on the national pedestal through their excellent performance,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu promised to reward 2019 winners of the award, Mrs. Elusakin Agnes Iyabo from Government Senior Model College, Ikorodu and Mr. Ikuseyidumi Bababo from Government Junior College, Ketu-Epe with a gift of a three-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom apartment respectively at the newly commissioned Igbogbo Housing Scheme.
He encouraged this year’s awardees to see their award as an opportunity to do more in the teaching profession
” I urge you to continue to uphold the ethics and standards of the teaching profession. Do not relent in demonstrating excellence and an uncommon sense of responsibility in performing your duties,” he urged.
Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, said the winners were selected after stringent and transparent process.
“The committee received 3200 applications and today we have 23 semi-finalists selected through stringent evaluation criteria. They are adjudged to be modern teachers who love what they do and put in their best to see their students excel.
The nominees will be showcased and exposed to multiple opportunities. This will enhance our vision of restoring prestige in the teaching profession and encourage the return of teaching as a career for young teachers,” she said.
