- Governor Abiodun lauds teachers as the first enablers and foundation of all professions
Confusion pervaded the education ambience of Ogun State yesterday as teachers in the state did not know the categorical stance of the State Government on whether there was public holiday for them or not.
As this year's World Teachers Day fell on a Sunday, teachers all over the state had presumed that the annual ritual of an holiday will also hold this year and would be held yesterday, Monday.
As a result of the massive confusion, many schools opened for regular classes today while many did not.
The confusion was more pronounced in Abeokuta, the State Capital as many scholars did not bother to go to school while many went to school, only to be turned back home as their teachers did not turned up in schools.
Meanwhile, reports gathered by us confirmed that the Ijebu axis of the state enjoyed their public holiday as schools did not open at all.
A private school proprietor who spoke with THE STATEPOST on condition of anonymity said the confusion emanated from the government which had earlier declared an holiday for teachers but promptly annulled it when the Federal Government did not give any holiday.
The proprietor however said he gave holiday to his school's teachers as they deserved it. "After all, it is their day", he noted.
However, despite the non categorical declaration of holiday for teachers in the state, the 2025 World Teachers Day was celebrated modestly in the state at the Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta on Sunday.
At the celebration themed, Recasting Teaching as a Collaborating Profession, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun described teachers as the first enablers and the foundation of all other professions that enhance national development, and insisted that they should be accorded the recognition they truly deserved.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Governor Abiodun revealed that Education extended beyond the classroom, as it helped in shaping values, vision and vigor of entire generations, stressing that his administration would continue to make significant investment in the education sector under the "Building Our Future Together Agenda".
The Governor said the theme of the Day challenged everyone to re-envision the teaching space as one built on teamwork, mentorship, shared learning and mutual support, adding that, teaching was not an isolated endeavor, but a collective mission that drew strength from cooperation amongst teachers themselves, parents, communities and the government.
The state's Helmsman, while appreciating all the Teachers’ Unions in the State, informed that as a government, he remained proud of the immeasurable contributions of those in the teaching profession to the collective progress of the State, revealing that that was why his administration laid premium on investment in teachers’ welfare, digital competence, professional training and infrastructural development, all in alignment with global Best Practices worldwide.
As the ‘World Teachers Day’ celebration continued, the Governor reminded them that the prosperity of Ogun State laid on their shoulders, while promising to continue to support them with tools, amenities and conducive environment where they could thrive and educate the future generations for a more enlightened and prosperous Ogun state.
Earlier in his welcome address, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the Government appreciated teachers’ efforts and recognised that they were the nation builders, assuring them that the present administration would continue to prioritise their welfare.
In their separate remarks, Chairman Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu and his counterpart in the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, congratulated all teachers in the State on the occasion of the 2025 World Teacher's Day, urging them to continue to work as a team, share strategies and resources, connect globally through training and technology and partner with parents, communities and the government.
The duo referred to teachers as the backbone of the education system, silent architects of progress and the torchbearers of civilisation, assuring of Government’s continued commitment to prioritising their welfare alongside providing them with the needed support, all with a view at ensuring quality education was delivered at all levels, thanking Governor Dapo Abiodun for making education the engine room for transformation in the State.
Also speaking, State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT) Comrade Sewakanu Oladipupo and his colleague in the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Felix Agbesanwa, described teachers as nation builders, appreciating the State Government for fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between them and the teachers.
They equally commended the State Government for its developmental strides in the education sector, such as the provision of digital and modern classrooms, prioritisation of teachers welfare and training and retraining programmes, just as they urged government to consider special incentives such as provisions for teachers who lost their lives while in service, Education Trust Funds to cater for out of school children and E-lesson note's for teachers in line with evolving trends in the sector.
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