A Basic Science and Physics teacher at Federal Government College, Jos, Plateau State, has emerged as the 2022 Maltina Teacher of the Year.
He was announced at the grand finale held in Lagos weekend.
Ayiwulu will receive a total cash prize of N6.5 million
(N1.5 million immediately and N1 million annually for the next five years) from
the Nigerian Breweries- Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund.
Other incentives include an all-expense paid capacity
development training abroad, a fully equipped computer laboratory or a
six-classroom block worth N20 million to be built for his school.
He received his prize from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the
special guest of honour at the awards ceremony, attended by dignitaries across
the public and private sectors.
Ayiwulu, who could not conceal his excitement, thanked
Nigerian Breweries Plc for its commitment to the teaching profession, as
demonstrated through the support given to the initiative every year.
Musa Saidu, a teacher from El-kanemi College of Islamic
Theology, Maiduguri, emerged as the first runner-up. He got N1.5 million;
Ifeoma Ifediba, a teacher with Federal Government College, Enugu, emerged was
the second runner-up, receiving N1.2 million. Thirty other teachers who emerged
as state champions received N500,000 each.
In his remarks, Osinbajo, who shared several personal
stories about his journey into the teaching profession, commended Nigerian
Breweries for recognizing and celebrating teachers. He said the achievements
recorded by previous award recipients have shown the significance and impact of
the competition.
“The teacher must be appreciated. Everyone needs affirmation
and encouragement, as it can only lead to greater achievements,” said Osinbajo.
“And this is why I think that the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award is an
incredible boost for teachers and the teaching profession.”
The vice president also expressed delight to be part of this
year’s event, celebrating and rewarding teachers who have continued to
distinguish themselves as role models in academic institutions and agents of
social change in communities across the country.
The event also witnessed a special recognition award
presented to Elder Felix Ohiwerei, a former MD/CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc,
by the vice-president. The award was in recognition of his outstanding
contributions to the company and support for the education trust fund, which is
in his honour.
The Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Nanah Opiah,
said the award marks a significant milestone in the collective effort to revamp
the education sector to serve Nigerians’ critical needs and aspirations better.
“Education is our collective responsibility, and its failure
can well be taken as the failure of the entire country. It is based on this
that the Federal Ministry of Education recognizes and commends the efforts of
Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to celebrate
outstanding teachers across Nigeria,” added Opiah. “The ministry appreciates the
cash prizes to the teachers, the capacity-building opportunities and provision
of educational resources and infrastructure to schools. These attractive
packages will in no small measure motivate and inspire more teachers across the
nation to work towards being outstanding.”
The Chairman of the NB Plc, Chief Kolawole Jamodu, described
the vice president’s presence as an incredible motivation to all teachers,
including those who aspire to make a difference in the field of learning.
He highlighted the 85 projects the trust fund had invested
in across the country since it was founded in 1994.
“We have invested in constructing learning facilities in
communities, awarded scholarships to doctorate students, created an endowment
at the University of Ibadan College Medicine and funded the building of the
Felix Ohiwerei School of Science and Technology at the Pan-Atlantic University
Lagos,” stated Jamodu. “With these investments, we aim to provide a strong
platform that supports our schools, students and teachers towards advancing the
quality of education at all levels in Nigeria.”
The Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc,
Sade Morgan, revealed that this year’s edition of the competition recorded
1,027 entries from all 36 states, of which 833 were valid.
Morgan commended the panel of judges for their transparency,
professionalism and the tenacity with which they undertook their assignment in
determining the winners noting that their painstaking efforts were instrumental
to the competition’s success.
She also thanked all relevant education stakeholders,
including the Federal Ministry of Education, TRCN, ANCOPSS and NUT, for the
massive support received through the different stages of the competition.
Guests at the awards ceremony were treated to various forms
of dance, poetry, music and comedy performances in celebration of the Nigerian
teacher, as well as a hall of fame showcasing the achievements of previous
winners.
Since its inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year
initiative has produced eight winners, Rose Nkemdilim Obi (2015), Imoh Essien
(2016), Felix Ariguzo (2017), Olasunkanmi Opeifa (2018), Ezem Collins (2019),
Oluwabunmi Anani (2020), Abanika Taiye (2021) and now Alaku Ayiwulu.