By Onyeche Igwe
The Executive Chairman of Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board, Dr. Sam Emejuru, has commended the Governor of Rivers state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for making teaching profession a conducive one in Rivers state.
He made the commendation during the Rivers state Teachers’ Day Celebration held in Port Harcourt. He appreciated the Governor for the implementation of the new minimum wage and the promotion of teachers.
He also said: “It is not easy to be a teacher. If you say it is easy to be a teacher, enter the classroom and try it. I’m saying this because some persons think that teaching profession is an all-comers job. So, I want to appreciate and encourage all the teachers who are here today and all the teachers who are teaching in our secondary schools and primary schools in Rivers State.”
He continued: “Teachers are mothers, teachers are fathers, teachers are motivators, teachers are role models. Whatever you do in the class is what your students will copy, more especially those who are teaching.”
According to the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers state wing, Comrade Echikpu Collins, “Teachers all over the world do celebrate the World Teachers Day on 5th of October every year and this year’s 2024 World Teacher Day (WFD) coincided with Rivers State Local Government Elections and Teachers of Rivers State in consideration of the importance of the Local Government Elections the citizenry of Rivers State did not participate in this year’s World Teachers Day Celebration on the 5th of October, 2024.”
“Teachers of Rivers State being law-abiding citizens and moreso in reciprocating to the good gestures and love of the Governor to teachers and education in the state resolved to work towards achieving the laudable objectives of our amiable Governor for Rivers people, of which the conduct of the Local Government Election is one of such.”
He thanked the governor for the donation of two hundred and fifty million naira for the completion of Teachers House, the new retirement age of 65 years and length of service of 40years for teachers.
The theme of the Teachers’ Day Celebration was “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: A Valueable New Social Contract for Education,” and the Guest Lecturer was Prof. Victor Akujuru.
In attendance were: the Executive Governor of Rivers state, represented by the Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke; the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, represented by the the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; the Executive Chairman of Senior Secondary Schools Board, Dr. Sam Emejuru; the Executive Chairman of Universal Basic Education Board, represented by the Secretary of UBE Board, Mrs. Ibiere Pepple and others.
