The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has lamented the killing of over 600 teachers by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in some parts of the North even as it also called on the federal government to intensify effort at rescuing over 200 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state by the same group of terrorists in April 2014.
National President of the union, Michael Olukoya, who spoke today in Ado Ekiti during the celebration of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, also called on federal and state governments to beef up security in public schools to prevent further attacks.
Olukoya said that over 19,000 teachers are among the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) located in the states in the Northeast.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by a senior NUT official, Samson Akinlade, Olukoya said: ”the memory of Chibok girls and thousands of others whose potentials and lives have been truncated , remains traumatic and demoralizing.
“It is on record that over 600 teachers have lost their lives to the terror attacks. These include 308 in Borno, Adamawa (75), Yobe (18), Kaduna (25), Plateau (120), Kano (63) and Gombe (2).
“This is additional to 19,000 teachers that have been displaced and are suffering great losses due to barbaric activities of the insurgents.”
Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, gave out brand new Kia Soul cars to the best teachers in primary and secondary schools and the headmaster general for primary school was appointed and given brand new car.
The winner are the newly appointed Headmaster General, Mrs. Rachel Talabi, the Best Primary School Teacher, Mrs. Mary Akindele and the Best Secondary School Teacher, Mr. Ife Adeola.
Three tutors general were also appointed for each senatorial district and they are – Mr. Oluwole Awolusi (Ekiti North), Mr. Rufus Olufarati (Ekiti Central) and Mrs. Monisola Olonisakin (Ekiti South).
Fayose said: “I know the value of your votes and what you represent. I won’t joke with your interest. I decided that the programme is shown life to show the strength of our teachers and their support for us.
“The issues raised are being addressed and you know our financial situation and within the limit of our finances we will address them. In 2003, we were 35th in public examinations conducted by WAEC and NECO and we moved to the eighth and seventh positions.
“Though, I applied for N29.6 billion bailout from the CBN, which would have covered payment for all salaries, allowances and pension. But only N9.1b was approved. This is not political. But it is only what I get that I can share.” [myad]
