A Technical Drawing teacher, Taiye Abanika, who teaches at James Hope College,Agbor in Delta State emerged the winner of the prestigious award as 2021 Maltina Teacher of the Year.
In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) thrusts and investments in development of education in Nigeria, through its Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, Nigerian Breweries Plc celebrated teachers at the Grand Finale of the 7th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year held on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
With his emergence as the winner of the 7th edition of the
initiative, Abanika will receive a total
cash prize of N6.5 million (N1.5million immediately and N1million annually for
the next five years) from the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund.
Apart from the cash gift, he would also be rewarded with
other incentives including an all-expense paid capacity development training
abroad, a fully equipped computer laboratory or six-classroom block worth N20
million to be built for his school in his honour by the Fund.
Isaac Terver Pev, a teacher with Government Day Secondary
School,Yonko, Taraba State emerged the first runner-up winning a total sum of
N1.5 MillionMargaret Ngozi Ofordum, a teacher with Government Science &
Technology College, Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, emerged as the
second runner-up with a prize money of N1, 250.000.00 while other 30 teachers
who emerged as state champions were also rewarded with a sum of N500, 000.00
each.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President, Federal Republic
of Nigeria, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who was represented by the Minister of
State for Education, Honourable Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba lauded the company’s
unwavering commitment to recognizing and rewarding teachers through the
initiative noting that their immense support has contributed a great deal in
motivating the teachers not only in expanding beyond borders as witnessed in
the representation of Nigeria at the global stage but also in reaching their
full potentials.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director, Nigerian
Breweries Plc, Mr. Hans Essaadi explained that the initiative was designed to
recognize, celebrate and reward amazing men and women who through their daily
work as teachers have contributed tremendously in building solid foundation for
the society we live in.
“A good teacher inspires hope, ignites the imagination, and
instills a love of learning – literally shaping and changing lives. As
individuals, a great part of who we are today, and what we have achieved in
life, can be traced back to the education we received from our teachers”,
Essaadi added.
Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner of
Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo who represented the Executive
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to
Nigerian Breweries Plc for their
relentless effort and tenacity in celebrating exceptional teachers through the
Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative stating that such contribution would
go long way to improve performance among
the students and motivate teachers generally to take pride in the profession.
In her remarks, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian
Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sade Morgan who commended the invaluable contributions of
teachers to shaping lives and grooming leaders stated that this year’s edition
recorded an impressive number of entries from 36 states of the federation
including the Federal Capital Territory as the initiative received a total of 1085 entries.
While applauding the panel of judges for their transparency,
professionalism, the rigours and the tenacity in determining the winners,
Morgan noted that the calibre of the top 10 finalists including the eventual
winner truly attests to the creativity and practicality that were adopted in
the evaluation process for this year’s edition.
Speaking shortly after he was announced as the winner of the
coveted prize, Abanika expressed gratitude to Nigerian Breweries Plc for
restoring pride to the teaching profession by recognizing and rewarding
teachers through the initiative.
Since inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative
has produced seven grand winners, Rose Nkemdilim Obi, Anambra (2015), Imoh
Essien, Akwa Ibom (2016), Felix Ariguzo, Delta State (2017), Olasunkanmi
Opeifa, FCT (2018), Ezem Collins (2019), Oluwabunmi Anani(2020) and now Abanika
Taiye(2021).
In 2015, Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust
Fund introduced the Maltina Teacher of the Year, a national competition, to
identify, honour and reward outstanding teachers in Nigeria.
Maltina Teacher of the Year is supported by the Federal
Ministry of Education other stakeholders in education including the Nigeria
Union of Teachers(NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary
Schools (ANCOPPS) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund
was set up in 1994 with a startup capital of 100 million Naira to enable
sustained quality education through structured intervention in the sector.
The Fund has footprints across the six geographical zones in
Nigeria at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Through the
Fund, NB Plc has constructed and furnished over 400 classrooms, sanitary
facilities and libraries in 74 communities across the country. The Fund has
also granted scholarships to deserving students in tertiary institutions.
Nigerian Breweries Plc, incorporated in 1946 is the pioneer
and largest brewing company in Nigeria. With 23 malt and beer brands within its
portfolio, it serves the Nigerian market and exports to other parts of West
Africa. Nigerian Breweries Plc which is driven by the corporate philosophy of
“Winning with Nigeria”, has continued to take an increasingly active part in
supporting education, amongst our other CSR focus areas.
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