• At 9th attempt, Lagos wins Maltina Teacher of the Year award
By Gabriel Dike
Lagos State has won the ninth edition of Maltina Teacher of the Year competition. It’s the first time the state is winning since its inception in 2015.
Adeola Adedunke Adefemi, a teacher, Keke Senior High School 1, Agege, Lagos, broke the nine-year-old jinx when she was on Friday, October 21, 2023, crowned Maltina Teacher of the Year. The Nigerian Breweries Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund introduced the annual national competition to reward Nigerian teachers in public and private secondary schools.
Lagos was represented in 2015 by Odusanya Tolulope Joseph, also in 2020; Calista Chika Ume-Ezeoke, 2016 and 2017; Samuel Abiodun Ajayi, 2018; Soji Augustine Megbowon, 2019; Lanre Abolaji Oguntoye, 2021 and Blessing Lydia Titiloye, 2022.
As soon as Adeola was pronounced winner, Lagos State Government literally took over the ceremony. The winner told The Education Report: “I feel incredibly honoured to have broken the jinx for Lagos State in the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition. It is a moment of immense satisfaction, not just for me, but for teachers in Lagos. This victory signifies our dedication to education and our commitment to the welfare of our students, even beyond the classroom.
“Teachers are an integral part of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu’s THEMES agenda, and it is truly fulfilling to showcase to the world the exceptional quality of teachers we have in Lagos State. It is worth noting that some of our teachers have excelled in previous years as well, with Mr. Soji Megbowon even reached the position of the first runner-up in 2019.
“This is a testament to the consistent excellence of educators in Lagos State, and we are proud of our rich legacy of nurturing talent and shaping the future of our students through education.
“The competition gathered some of the most dedicated and talented educators from across the country, and the level of competition was exceptionally high. In the face of such outstanding competitors, it could have been anybody’s game.
“The victory is not just a win for me but for every teacher. It is also a celebration of the dedication and expertise that thrives among teachers nationwide.
“The win serves as a reminder that every teacher contributes significantly to shaping the future of the nation. I am only privileged to be part of this inspiring community of educators.
“It would be difficult for me to say I was not expecting that level of celebration from the state government officials after being declared the winner. To be honest, this is Lagos, and we have a tradition of celebrating our own.
“Our state and the Ministry of Education have consistently shown exceptional support and go the extra mile for their own. Besides, Lagos State, has finally breaking the jinx.
“However, what truly amazed and touched me was the heartfelt celebration and support I received from Mrs. Bimbo Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education; Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Lagos NUT Chairman, Akintoye Hassan, among others at the venue. Their recognition and appreciation were truly special and heartwarming.”
Adeola received a cash prize of N6.5 million. Additionally, she will be rewarded with an all-expense paid capacity development training in the UK. The fund will also build either a fully equipped computer laboratory or a six-classroom block worth N20 million for her school in her honour.
Azuh Chike of Ezemu Girls Grammar School, Delta State emerged first runner-up, with a cash prize of N1.5 million while Adam Abdulqadir Ndi of Model Science College, Niger State, was second runner-up, with N1.25 million cash prize. Twenty-seven other teachers who emerged state champions received N500,000 each.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sununu, said: “There are growing national efforts to bring back the glory days of teachers in Nigeria. The new national teaching policy developed by the ministry in collaboration with education stakeholders addresses the career path, remuneration, teaching standards, qualification, capacity development and other vital issues to revitalise the teaching profession.
“Education is our collective responsibility, and its failure can be taken as the failure of the entire country. It is based on this that the ministry recognises and commends the efforts of Nigeria Breweries Plc-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to celebrate outstanding teachers across Nigeria.”
On behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alli-Balogun, lauded Nigerian Breweries “for its significant contributions towards making the teaching profession an enviable one amidst the low morale.
Government appreciates the significance of such competition in improving the quality of teaching and students’ performance.
“We are proud to identify with this award because it resonates with our teacher’s welfare programme. We appreciate that teachers are at the heart of successful learning, so we introduced the KOEXCEL TRAINING to support and empower them and impact pupil and teacher success.”
Corporate Affairs Director, NB, Sade Morgan, expressed deep gratitude to all valued stakeholders and partners for their immense support for the competition, particularly the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for providing the company with access to its database of verified and registered teachers as well as providing the teachers with adequate information about the competition and requirements for the application process:
“This year’s edition witnessed the highest number of entries ever, with a record-breaking 1,499 entries from all 36 federation states, including the Federal Capital Territory. We received an impressive 1,203 valid entries, the second-highest number we have received since the competition’s inception.”
Chairman, Board of Directors, NB, Asue Ighodalo, said: “Maltina Teacher of the Year competition provides the rare opportunity to recognise the magnificent roles of teachers and to do more in support of those individuals who take pride in this noble profession.
“Through the competition, we have been able to uplift the nobility of the profession by successfully recognising a total of 211 state champions, eight national champions and equipping eight schools with educational facilities such as blocks of classrooms, an auditorium, computer laboratories, and a library.”
The initiative has produced nine winners: Rose Nkemdilim Obi (2015), Imoh Essien (2016), Felix Ariguzo (2017), Olasunkanmi Opeifa (2018), Ezem Collins (2019), Oluwabunmi Anani (2020), Abanika Taiye (2021), Alaku Ayiwulu (2022).