Lagos rewards pupils, teachers

Gone are the days when teachers were comforted with the hope of a pie in heaven, as they now enjoy the fruit of their labour. Last Wednesday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Mrs Olajumoke Taibat Odukoya walked up to the podium to receive her award, a brand new KIA RIO car, as the best teacher in Lagos State. Tears of joy flowed from her eyes as the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, handed her the key. She was one of the awardees at the 2009 annual education merit award organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Education. Along with her, 29 others in different categories also smiled home with different awards and prizes. N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.   Declaring the occasion open, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan, stated that the ceremony was an acknowledgement of the important role of teachers in the education of children. She noted that the joy of the occasion provided a golden moment for reflection and appraisal of individual goals and commitment to responsibilities. "Today's ceremony is in line with our tradition to recognise the acknowledged role of teachers as moulders of minds through transmission of knowledge to pupils and students, thus empowering them to function positively in their environment", she added. She explained that those that were selected for the award were meticulously screened, and have clear evidence of excellent service, stressing that the honour bestowed on them should serve as a boost to others to aspire to a higher level of dedication to work. Sosan acclaimed the commitment of the Babatunde Raji Fashola led administration in improving the quality of education in the state. She noted that the government will not relent in its effort in introducing and sustaining measures that will give verve to all sectors of public administration, including the education sector. She stated that teachers' welfare should be taken into consideration to achieve higher productivity. In her words: "We recognise that the quality of education cannot be improved without the continual improvement of our teachers and the environment in which they work. These are germane if we must reap the expected returns of this administration's investment in as against mere funding of education as obtained in the past". The Deputy Governor promised that the Fasola-led administration in the state would continually expose teachers to quality training programmes in order to give a new face to public schools. Hear her: "I want to assure you that your welfare will always get appropriate attention because we recognise your contribution to the development of our great state. We have a man whose word is his bond as the captain that steers the ship of this administration. Therefore, I appeal to you to continue to be hardworking, focused and co-operative to the educationsector". She also appealed to the teachers to uphold the glory of the profession. "We have been called to this ministry and we should do our bit especially as the Unseen Eye watches. We will all be recompensed by the Wise one for our service to humanity", she said. In his remarks, the Chairman, Sir Kessignton Adebutu said: "An occasion like this not only affords government an opportunity to reward hardworking personnel, pupils and students at different levels of performance, but also gives the recipients the opportunity to reflect on their work, attitude and contribution to the operations of the Ministry of Education." He explained that the award will encourage the winners to consistently work hard to improve their performance and reinforce their self confidence to ensure that the winning streak is sustained. He charged other workers not yet in the honours list to join the league. While commending their efforts, he expressed the hope that they will deliver more efficient and effective services that will make Lagos a clear leader in the education sector. The Chairman advised the awardees to continue to make hardwork their watchword. He said: "Success without honour is an unseasoned dish; it may satisfy hunger but it won't taste good in the mouth, thus it is better to strive for a combination of both success and honour through the quality of work. Recognition will of necessity follow when you continuously do the right thing over a period of time". He urged them to avoid actions or behaviours that could render the award void. Sir Adebutu, who was moved by the plight of one of the awardees, Master Hassan Gbeleyi, the best special pupil from Atunda-Olu School for Physically Challenged Pupils Surulere, donated the sum of N5m for his health and educational needs. He commended the government of Lagos State and the organizers for the initiative, noting that it is one way of taking education out of the doldrums where it has been over a long period of time. Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour, Otunba Olanrewaju Folorunsho, stressed the need to improve the quality of education in public schools. Otunba Folorunsho, who advised the government to collaborate with the private sector, urged the teachers to support government's effort in providing qualitative education. "We must support government's worthy efforts. Government should find a way of involving the private sector. Private sector can collaborate only on worthy ventures. From what I see, we have a good programme on ground. I pray that tomorrow's government will sustain today's noble efforts", he said. Otunba also expressed faith that the rehabilitation work in public schools in the state would revive the institutions to glorious places of learning, adding that the decay witnessed in the past in the education sector was not a death-sentence after all. He described the award recipients as ambassadors, adding that the awards would inspire others to work hard. The auditorium became agog with excitement as they came out in turns to receive their prizes. In the primary school category, Mrs Funsho Adeola Olaniyi of Anifowose Primary School, Ikeja, clinched the Best Head Teacher award, while the Best Assistant Head-teacher award went to Mr Abdulmalik Abiodun Ahoton of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Primary School, Badagary in Education District five. Miss Olayiwola Basirat of Community Primary School, Ijanikin-Ojo emerged the best pupil, just as Hassan Gbeleyi of Atunda-Olu school for Physically Challenged Pupils won the Best Special Pupil award. For his hardwork and diligence, Mr Michael Adesola Adeoye of Iju Station Primary School, Iju-Ifako, was named the best non-teaching staff. The best overall primary school award went to Araromi Primary School, Gbagada in Education District two. In the Junior Secondary School category, Mr Agidi Balogun Rasuki of Lagos State Junior Model College, Igbonla emerged the best principal and went home with a giant freezer as well as a plaque. The Best Vice –Principal award went to Mrs Orolu Jemilat Abike of Ijaye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School who got a colour television, while the Lagos State Junior Model College, Igbonla emerged the best Junior Secondary School. The best non-teaching staff award went to Awofala Babatunde Taofeeq of Immaculate Junior Comprehensive High School, Maryland. It was also a rewarding day for Joyce Moses of Eva Adelaya Girls Junior secondary School as emerged the best student in the junior secondary school category. In the senior secondary school category, Mrs Ogboye Sherifat Atinuke of Community Senior Grammar School, Surulere, won the Best Principal award, while the Best Vice-Principal award went to Mrs Adekanye Afoluke Oyebisi of Dr.Lucas Memorial Senior High School, Kirikiri Town. Also, Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbonla was honoured as the best school, while Master Okoli Kenneth of Keke Senior High School won the Best Student award. Mrs Lawal Funmilayo Odebunmi of Araromi Senior Secondary School, Iganmu was equally crowned the best non- teaching staff. Among the technical colleges in the state, Kamiloye Oluwatosin of Government Technical College, Epe in Education District three, emerged the best principal. Also, Government Technical College, Agidingbi was adjudged the overall best technical college, with Adelowo Amos Adebayo of the same school as the best vice-principal. The Best Non-teaching award went to Fakorede Michael of Government Technical College, Ado Soab, while Fiyebo Noah of Government Technical College, Epe, smiled home with the Best Student award. Members of staff were also honoured with the best staff awards for their outstanding performance in 2009. Those that won in that category were, Mrs Sherifat Akinsemoyin of Education District four, Olusegun Oluyomi Ekundayo of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Gabriel Oluguyiga of TEPO and Mrs Iyabode Kazeem of office of the Special Adviser on Education. Miss Basirat Idowu Akinlade emerged the best senior staff in the Ministry of Education, just as Ogedengbe Williams, a security staff was honoured as the best junior staff. They all smiled home with various home appliances and plaques. The climax of the occasion was the presentation of the Best Teacher award to Mrs Odukoya Taibat Olajumoke, a Biology teacher at Baptist Senior High School, Obanikoro. Consolation prizes were also given to the first runner-up, Mrs Omotehinse Hellen Ibileye of Iganmu Senior High School and Mrs Omoaka Lucy Emike Ojo of Lagos State Senior Model College, Meiran. In appreciation of the honour bestowed on her, Mrs Odukoya Taibat, paid glowing tribute to the government of Lagos State for the award, describing it as a great motivation. Speaking to journalists shortly after the car was presented to her, she said: "God made it possible. The work, my love for the children and my interaction with them are perhaps the reason why I was chosen. During my interaction with the children, I was able to bring out the other factor in them to help them achieve excellence". Mrs Odukoya, who has been a teacher for 11 years, advised her colleagues in the teaching profession to be dedicated to their duties and never to look to immediate reward, adding that she never bargained for the favour she received. Beaming with joy for the honour, Mrs Ogboye Sherifat Atinuke, who won the Best Principal in the senior secondary category, praised the Lagos State government for celebrating hardwork. "I always have that belief that it is good to work hard. And this is an honour to me by the Lagos State government. It will motivate and encourage me to put in my best which I have been doing. Moreover, I will not rest on this present achievement", she affirmed. Mrs Ogboye who has been in the teaching profession for 29 years, and a principal for 25 years, stressed that discipline has remained her watchword. She revealed that she does not tolerate indolent attitude among staff and students. In her words: "I am not a sit-down principal so no teacher in the school will sit in the staff-room during lesson period. Even for those who would opt to, seeing other teachers taking up their books at the beginning of every lesson period will definitely tell them that our school is not a place to sit down".