The Governor made the presentation at the Lagos State Teachers Merit Award 2021, held at Lagos house, to award the most outstanding teachers and administrators in the state.
The awardees were part of the finalists nominated for the grand prize by the nomination committee led by the chairperson of Association of Private Educators in Nigeria, Mrs. Lai Koiki.
Over 3,500 applications were reviewed by the screening committee; 22 teachers and school administrators made it to the final stage. These ones were adjudged to be passionate about teaching, visionary, and conversant with modern teaching techniques to positively impact the lives of their students.
Sanwo-Olu, while lauding the nomination committee, said his Government recognizes the essential role of teachers in the state, stressing that the reward was to further spur the teachers on to delivering world class education in the state.
He said “This initiative is in line with our commitment to use education as an instrument to change our world and influence the teaching profession. Hence, through education, which represents the third pillar of our administration’s T-H-E-M-E-S agenda, we have developed a template towards rewarding selflessness, dedication and diligence amongst our teachers in the state”.
‘’It is a very good way to motivate and encourage excellence in our teachers, in our quest for quality and effective education delivery to our much cherished students. Awards of this nature are not only symbolic to reward worthwhile services but they are also a genuine way to promote merit and encourage the spirit of healthy competition amongst our teachers in Lagos State.
The Governor also urged the awardees to continue to uphold the ethics of their profession and display uncommon sense of responsibility and commitment to their duty.
He then highlighted his administration’s commitment to continue rewarding teachers. He said ‘’Recognition of the best among teachers in the state will enhance our drive to ensure that we continue to put our best foot forward in the delivery of world class education; and even more so in specialized subject areas such as Science Technical Education Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)”.
In her address, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, said the merit award was initiated by the Governor to reward excellence in public teaching service and inspire them to do more.
She lauded the governor’s continuous pledge to honour teachers, stressing that the gesture had elevated the level of education in the State.
Recipients of the grand prize of brand new SUVs were three primary school and six secondary school teachers, one special needs teacher, and three school administrators.
1 Adenike Lateefat Ojo Junior Secondary School Administrator
2 Folashade Habibat Oyedeji Junior Secondary School Teacher
3 Oluseyi Bamidele Amao Junior Secondary School Teacher
4 Olubukola Omotunde Dosumu Junior Secondary School Teacher
5 Olusegun Musa Muftau Primary School Administrator
6 Fausat Folasade Adegeye Primary School Teacher
7 Michael Segun Ayoola Primary School Teacher
8 Omolayo Grace Fadayomi Primary School Teacher
9 Bolanle Olusola Alamu Senior Secondary School Administrator
10 Adeola Adedunke Adefemi Senior Secondary School Teacher
11 Soji Augustine Megbowon Senior Secondary School Teacher
12 Yahya Adedibu Adesokan Senior Secondary School Teacher
13 Lukman Olanrewaju Agbabiaka Special Education Needs
Nine other teachers were rewarded with consolation prizes at the event.