World Teachers Day 2023: New NUT Chairman Promises End To Misconduct, Mismanagement

The new Chairman of the Nigeria Union Of Teachers, NUT, in Ekiti State, Comrade Daodu Bamidele Olaitan has promised an end to the era of misconduct and mismanagement of the Union affairs in the State as experienced during the time of the ousted leadership just as the Ekiti State Government used the celebration of the 2023 World Teachers Day to spend a whopping sum of N35 Million on its Outstanding Teachers in the State.

Speaking during the World Teachers Day at the New Iyin Ekiti Pavilion on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, the new NUT Chairman, Comrade Daodu Bamidele Olaitan advocated for the implementation of 65 years and 40 years of service retirement age for Ekiti State Teachers.

He said experience was needed to prepare the pupils / students for a brighter future, urging Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State to emulate States that have implemented the policy.

The Chairman further reiterated his commitment to maintain cordial working relationship with the State Government to attract more welfare packages for Ekiti State teachers which he said would boost their morale to discharge their duties seamlessly.

He said, “though there is a change of hands in the top echelon level of Teachers Union (NUT), Ekiti State Wing but this does not create any vacuum in the hierarchy and activities of the Union. Rather we now have a stronger and more committed NUT in Ekiti State. A Union that is free of misconduct, a Union that is better managed with accountability, a Union with right focus in all its activities”, he assured.

Continuing, he said, “with the new leadership of our great Union in Ekiti State, we are sure of better and robust relationship with the State government and better welfare packages for our members across the State. We strongly believe that our relationship with the government will bring better development to education industry in this enviable State of ours”.

The Ekiti NUT boss used the opportunity to highlights the major needs of members to includes the regular Capacity building trainings, employment of more teachers to fill existing vacancies, letters to be given to Primary School teachers that have been promoted to grade Level 16, extension of car and Housing loans to primary school teachers.

He added the need for the Inclusion of Tutors – Generals and Headmaster Generals in government protocol, roll of Honours and provision of motor-cycle loans to teachers experiencing difficulties in accessing their schools. 

Others are payment of outstanding salaries and Leave Bonuses owed teachers by previous administrations and restoration of 27.5% teachers’ pecuniary allowance to teachers in Technical Colleges of Education among others. 

The Special highlights of the 2023 World Teachers Day Celebrations was the presentation of cheques totaling N35 Million to outstanding teachers and schools administrators in the State.

Also speaking at the event, Comrade Kayode Akosile, former Vice President, South West Zone who represented the National NUT President advocated subject teachers for Primary 4 upward saying, it was academically suicidal to have one teacher teaching all subjects in the Primary Schools. He called on Governor Oyebanji to urgently address the anomalies by recruiting more qualified teachers into the Primary Schools in the State. 

Dignitaries at the event includes the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; His Oyo State Colleague Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro.

Others are the House of Assembly members, members of the State Executive Council and current and past leaders of NUT, ASUSS, NLC among others.