President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today, celebrated Nigerian teachers vowing that his administration will invest in education.
The Nigerian leader made the promise on Thursday (today) during the 2023 World Teachers’ Day commemoration held at Eagle Square, Abuja.
Tinubu expressed remorse over the various difficulties faced by Nigerian educators, such as overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and inadequate opportunities for professional growth. These challenges, he asserted, are the consequence of prolonged negligence towards the esteemed teaching profession.
Represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu emphasized the imperative of investing in education, empowering teachers, and equipping every child with the necessary tools to achieve their aspirations.
Shettima delivered the President’s keynote address, titled “Teacher Appreciation: Nurturing Minds, Changing Lives,” and stressed the commitment to implementing educational reforms that foster the emergence and sustainability of a system that recognizes education as the catalyst for innovative ideas and groundbreaking discoveries.
He reiterated that his administration will ensure teachers get their due rewards here on earth.
“With well-taught workforces, we are not only going to build a nation that thinks but one that lives in an interconnected world, a world where the exchange of knowledge and ideas knows no boundaries. Without motivated teachers, we can’t build a nation that fosters such international cooperation, builds bridges of understanding, and addresses global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and healthcare. So, education, to us, and I believe to you too, is not just a means to individual success; it is a path to global harmony and sustainable development.
“Of course, our dear teachers, we are not just going to focus solely on technological advancements. The human aspect of education is just as critical as the infrastructure. Our teachers deserve to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. It is my promise that we will work tirelessly to build a society where the teacher’s reward begins to manifest here on earth,” Tinubu said.
Noting that every educated person is a product of teachers, President Tinubu expressed the nation’s gratitude to Nigerian teachers, reassuring them that their profession is prime in the vision for the nation and her development agenda.
He said: “So, this day is more of a thanksgiving to honour those who have nurtured us, those who have guided us toward the hills upon which we stand today.
“I believe that there’s no vehicle that can transport you to your destination as safely as education. It is the reason every child, regardless of their background, awaits a future of vast possibilities. It is the reason the child of a disadvantaged family in a remote village clings to the same future as children from privileged homes with certainty.
“Education is the miracle that changes the fortune of a family in a single generation. Thanks to you, our dear teachers, we have broken down barriers and created a society where merit, talent, and hard work supersede the circumstances of one’s birth.
“So, by investing in education, by empowering our teachers, and by providing every child with the tools to reach their dream destination, we have safeguarded the future of this nation.”