Sapele NUT Marks Maiden World Teachers’ Day Celebration, Calls for Improved Welfare and Better Working Conditions
Sapele, Delta State — The Sapele Local Government Area chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has held its first-ever World Teachers’ Day celebration, with a strong call for improved teacher welfare, better working conditions, and greater government support for the education sector.
The event, which marked 60 years of World Teachers’ Day celebration globally, was held in Sapele Township Stadium amid colourful cultural displays, a march past by teachers, and presentations from various stakeholders.
In his address, the Chairman of the Sapele LGA NUT chapter, Comrade Emuofe Onome, urged teachers to take pride in their profession, describing them as the builders of the nation’s future. He said that for decades, teachers have continued to play a critical role in shaping society despite numerous challenges.
Onome promised to work tirelessly for the improvement of teachers’ welfare, stressing that the responsibility of addressing the challenges in the education sector does not rest solely on the government.
“Our responsibilities as teachers do not rest on the government alone. We must embrace and adapt to the changing realities in education,” he said.
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He called on the government to provide an enabling environment and all necessary learning materials for effective teaching and learning.
The NUT chairman also highlighted some of the challenges facing teachers, including insecurity, lack of teaching materials, and inadequate supervision. He urged teachers to remain united and support one another, emphasizing the need for investment in teachers.
Onome appealed to the Sapele Local Government Area to provide buses for the NUT chapter to ease transportation difficulties for teachers. He noted that Sapele NUT is the only chapter in the entire Delta State without a bus.
He expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the event, saying, “Today we celebrate you. We say thank you for building the future of teachers together.”
In her remarks, a teacher, Mr Oviera, urged continued support for teachers to enhance the teaching profession. He noted that “a bright child will always be reminded of a bright teacher’s day.”
Representatives from the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Sapele Chairman, Raymond Overa, and the Chief Inspector of Education (CIE), Sapele, were present at the occasion.
The Executive Chairman of Sapele Local Government Council, Hon. Bright Abeke, who was represented at the event, assured that all the requests made by the NUT regarding the bus, payslips, and other teacher welfare matters would be tabled at the next executive council meeting.
The Chief Inspector of Education expressed happiness that the local government was ready to address all the requests of the NUT.
The celebration featured cultural dances from the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Okpe ethnic groups, as well as a march past by teachers. In the march past competition, Okpe Grammar School took first position, Abeke Primary School clinched second position, while Ethiope Mixed Secondary School finished third. Prizes and certificates were presented to the winning schools. The event was described as colourful and memorable.
The occasion also marked 60 years of the global celebration of teachers, with a renewed call for support for teachers and the enhancement of the teaching profession.