Kunle Adelabu
-Hon. Akinsola receives Ikorodu NUT highest award
The Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, has challenged the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu branch, to immortalize a foremost educationist in Ikorodu division, Late Alhaji Abdularasaq Solaja Alagago, former Principal of the defunct Teachers’ Training College, Igbogbo.
The lawmaker, who was also a former classroom teacher, picked no less occasion to throw this challenge than the annual celebration of teachers worldwide, 2017 World Teachers Day, held at the Teachers House, located within the premises of Methodist and Oga Primary Schools in Ikorodu on Thursday, October 5, 2017.
The theme of this year celebration is, “Teaching in freedom, empowering teachers.”
Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Agunbiade, while commending the efforts of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in keeping the hope of a greater Nigeria alive with their dedication, commitment and selfless service, also expressed disappointment over lack of proper immortalization of late Alhaji Solaja Alagago.
“I want to commend the great Nigeria teachers, especially our own in Ikorodu who have been first in virtually all aspects, for keeping the struggle of total emancipation of people and of a better country alive. I celebrate and rejoice with you.”
“This was a man that trained most of today’s principals, head teachers and classroom teachers. He imparted discipline on us at the Teachers’ College and illuminate our path which we are threading today”, he stated of late Alagago.
“If our community has forgotten about him, we (teachers) should not. We should immortalize him to remember the great work he did for humanity while alive. He was a great man with indelible marks.”
Hon. Agunbiade, a former member of the NUT Ikorodu, while recalling how he alongside others like Comrade Dabiri fought the dominance of NUT by Principals and Head Teachers which led to the classroom teachers taking control of the union, praised the succeeding executives for continuing the tradition.
He enjoined the current executives, under the leadership of Comrade Fakolade, to ensure that peace reigns in the union by extending olive branch to others.
In his welcome address, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Ikorodu branch, stated that over 300 teachers were empowered with various skills acquisition on the first day of the 2017 Teachers’ Day celebration.
“Over 300 teachers were empowered with various skills ranging from make-up, Ankara bag and shoe making, Alaga Iduro and Ijoko, gele (Head tie) among others. It is our belief that with these skills, teachers’ standard of living will be upgraded. I will advise at this junction that teachers who have been trained should go back to their various schools and train other teachers”, NUT Chairman advised.
“On the 2nd day of the programme, teachers came out en masse to participate in the health programme/talk. Teachers in Ikorodu will live to remember and appreciate Dr (Mrs) Ajayi who personally checked, examined and recommended drugs and eye-glasses (Gigi Fako) to our teachers free of charge”, he said thankfully.
He also assured thousands of teachers at the venue of the celebration that the proposed Central Cooperative Society is on the way.
“Let me state without any contradiction that the birth of a Central Cooperative Society is on the way. I imlpore you all to please join and build a cooperative society that cannot be found anywhere in Lagos State.”
Reacting to the appeal of Hon. Agunbiade for the union to immortalize late Alhaji Solaja Alagago, the NUT Chairman accepted the challenge stating that: “Thank you for bringing our attention to this great man. Although, I don’t know him but the account I have heard coupled with your testimony today, it shows that he was a great man. I want to assure you sir that in no distance future, Ikorodu NUT shall honour his memory.”
In his goodwill message at the celebration, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS), Education District II, Maryland, Mr Bello A.M, while congratulating teachers for being members of the noble profession, enjoined them to always remember the virtues of the teaching profession.
He stated that, “Teachers must continue to be pillars of supports, exemplary figures, pace setters, destiny changers, role models, motivators and guidance counselors. All these attributes must be strictly adhere to by hardworking and dedicated teachers.”
While also commending Alhaja Sherifat Abiodun Ogunniyi, the Principal of the Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, for emerging 2016 best administrator of Senior Schools in Nigeria, the TG/PS also lauded similar feat achieved by Mrs Adenegan of the Lagos State Civil Service Junior Model College, Igbogbo, for emerging the second-best administrator in junior school in Nigeria for 2017.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Akeem Bello, Chairman, Planning/Organization Committee of the 2017 World Teachers’ Day Celebration in Ikorodu division, stated that the Ikorodu division’s NUT, under the leadership of Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, has broken barriers within five months of the inception of his administration.
He revealed that 100 teachers were screened medically and given drugs; 50 were given free eye glasses and 140 retirees were also celebrated.
Other medical screenings conducted during the three day celebration were blood pressure check, Body Miss Index and blood sugar level test.
At the 2017 Teachers’ Day celebration, His Royal Majesty Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, was conferred with award of Advocacy of Peace, while the NUT highest award, introduced by the administration of the immediate past chairman, ‘The Teachers’ Pride’ award, was conferred on Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, acting Commissioner for Tourism/Special Adviser on Arts & Culture, Lagos State.
Also, Awards of Excellence were given to Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Hon. Nurudeen
