When Ogun Teachers celebrated Gov Daniel

           Newsdiaryonline   Thur 17/3/11

It was not a usual gathering. For whenever trade and labour unions gather, it is usually either about matters of welfare or to take a position about a burning national issue. But Thursday,

March 17, when teachers and principals from different parts of Ogun State converged on the glittering Gateway International Stadium Sagamu, it was     to honour the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, for what they described as eight years of beneficial programmes and policies that have repositioned the teaching profession and education in Ogun State. Tagged a Festival of appreciation and carnival of solidarity, the teachers and principals who were supported by friends and associates from the labour unions in the state showed in words and deeds why   the Governor of Ogun State deserved to be celebrated. 

Decked in different shades of white and green clothes, the teachers welcomed the governor to the arena of celebration with a loud ovation shouting words of praises as the governor’s motorcade made its way into the ambience of the Stadium.

Thereafter the programme began as the gaily dressed teachers marched pass with the governor taking the salute.

March past over, speakers after speakers began to reel out the reasons while the teachers and principals decided to honour Governor Daniel. Comrade Tunde Folarin , President of the

Academic  Staff Union of Secondary Schools , Ogun State branch told the capacity crowd which included traditional rulers, community leaders, students from various institutions  that the OGD administration has made crucial contributions to the growth of teachers especially at the secondary school level. He was emphatic that the Congress of gratitude was not politically motivated but came into being out of genuine appreciation of the contributions of the OGD administration to the education sector .He said Governor Daniel employed thousand of teachers and elevated tutors to the position of permanent secretary through the institutionalization of the Tutor General cadre. Regular promotion of teachers and establishment of new secondary schools were some of the sterling achievements catalogued by Comrade Folarin. 

On his part Alhaji Dejo Kadir President of Ogun ANCOPPS said the eight years of Governor Daniel will go down in history as the Golden era because of the many achievements that have been witnessed in all sector of Ogun State. He said for the first time in the history of Ogun State principals can now attain grade level 17 apart from the unprecedented number of teachers employed in the last eight years. He also lauded the governor for consistently paying the WAEC fees of secondary school students for eight unbroken years and regular promotion of staff of secondary schools all over the State.

Others who spoke during the Congress of Appreciation lauded Governor Daniel for elevating the  teaching profession to a  pride of place and ensuring  that the education sector remains the top in the hierarchy of priorities all through his administration.

The Teaching Service Commission in its own address delivered on behalf of Akogun Segun Okeowo, its head, said the event was put together by the Gateway Teachers Forum to show appreciation to OGD for giving jobs to over 10,000 teachers, regular payments of salary,appointments of five principals General and nine grade level 17, principals, approval of 17.5 percent increment for class teachers and 20 percent peculiar allowance for non teaching staff.  According to the Teaching Service Commission, for these and many more the teachers and

principals   came to show appreciation to the education passionate and teachers friendly governor of Ogun State. 

Governor Daniel while responding described himself as a product of teachers in time past and as such he was only doing his duty to humanity by ensuring that those who mould society get the best treatment. He commended the teachers for reciprocating the good gesture of his administration by not embarking on industrial action during the eight years of his administration. He described them as the conscience of the nation urging them not to align with those currently playing dirty politics in the State.

Before the programme came to a close, the teachers and principals demonstrated their appreciation to the Governor through various gift items and cards engraved with some of the key achievements of his administration especially in the education sector.

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