The Executive Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi has commended the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of primary school teachers across the state.
Prof. Akinwumi gave the commendation in his country home Aramoko Ekiti while playing host to a mammoth crowd of Primary school teachers in Ekiti West Local Government Area who paid him a solidarity visit in the mood of the new year festivity.
He enumerated the various achievements of the governor in the basic education sector within the last two years and few months which include employment of more than 1,500 primary school teachers, some of them recruited directly to GL 8, provision of car and housing loans, conducive teaching – learning environment, elevation to GL 16 to be at par with their counterparts in the core civil service, training and retraining of teachers, particularly in ICT, among others.
The SUBEB boss who stated that most of the achievements are unprecedented said that they underscore the Governor’s commitment to the well-being, professional development and welfarism of the teachers, noting that Governor Oyebanji is a goal getter, an achiever and a governor who is fond of matching his words with actions.
He added that prioritizing the teachers’ needs did not only demonstrate a deep understanding of their importance to basic education development but also revealed the Governor’s passion towards ensuring better standards of living for them.
According to him, provision of incentives for the teachers have become a significant relief against the current global phenomenon of economic hardships, adding that the gesture was to enhance their motivation and productivity as one of the major drivers of basic education in the state
Prof. Akinwumi who joined the teachers in a carnival – like celebrations to make the occasion colourful and full of varieties urged them to recognize that the Governor’s decision to invest in their lives and improve their living conditions clearly reflects his administration’s vision of human capital development mantra.
He also lauded Governor Oyebanji for building the capacity of the teachers, stressing that the more training they received, the more relevant they will be towards advancing the basic education sector and therefore commended the Governor for recognizing the vital roles played by education in the global socioeconomic growth of which the state is not an exemption.
The SUBEB Executive Chairman however enjoined the teachers to reciprocate the benefits by being more effective, committed and dedicated to duty in the new year to justify the huge financial investment of government on them, adding that the only expectation of the governor is to hear that the teachers are doing well to promote education and showcase their pupils as the best among their equals, particularly in competitive examinations.
Akinwumi extended his gratitude for the wife of the Governor, Prof. Olayemi Oyebanji for her unwavering commitment and collaboration to ensure more developmental milestones in education, recounting the first lady’s personal donations and philanthropic gestures in the provision of learning materials through her pet project – Widows And Orphans Hope (WAOH) to support indigent pupils across the state.
He also assured the teachers that if they are more diligent and productive in their various duty posts, the new year promises to be more rewarding and impactful, stressing that better offers are waiting for them as the year progresses, only that they should continue to work for the development of basic education.
Prof. Akinwumi who also felicitated the Governor on his prestigious award of recognition as the Silverbird man of the year 2024, said the award was in recognition of the Governor’s strides in education, health, infrastructures as well as socio – economic development of the state.
He therefore urged for the teachers’ support for Governor Oyebanji beyond the year 2026, adding that all hands must be on deck to support the governor for a second term.
The teachers led by the Education Secretary of Ekiti West Local Government, Mrs. Deborah Bamisile thanked the SUBEB helmsman for hosting them and express their appreciation to the Governor for prioritizing their welfare.
They also renewed their pledge to double their efforts at ensuring the thrive in the basic education across all primary schools in the local government through their continuous dedication to duty, promising also that teachers in the area are fully behind Governor Oyebanji beyond the year 2026.