Adeola Adedunke Adefemi, a teacher from Keke Senior High School, Agege, Lagos State, has emerged the winner of the 2023 Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition at the Grand Finale held on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Jewel Aeida Hall, Lekki, Lagos.
Adefemi was presented with the grand prize by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu who was the special guest of honour at the awards ceremony witnessed by top government officials and other dignitaries from both public and private sector. Adefemi will receive a total cash prize of N6.5 million (N1.5million immediately and a N1million annually for the next five years) from the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund.
Aside 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 a six-classroom block worth N20 million to be built for his school in his honour by the Fund.
Speaking after his announcement as the winner of the coveted prize, Adefemi lauded Nigerian Breweries Plc for its unwavering passion towards the growth of the teaching profession, as seen in its long standing investment on the competition since inception.
Azuh Chike, a teacher from Ezemu Girls Grammar School, Delta State emerged as the first runner-up, going home with a total sum of N1.5 million while Adam Abdulqadir Ndi a teache,r from Model Science College, Niger State, emerged as the second runner-up, going home with a prize money of N1.25 million. In addition, 30 other teachers who emerged as state champions will get N500,000.00 each.
Delivering his goodwill message, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu described the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition as a milestone in Nigeria’s collective efforts at revamping the education sector to better serve the critical needs and aspirations of the generality of Nigerians.
While commending the efforts of Nigerian Breweries Plc in celebrating outstanding teachers across the country through the Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund, Sununu noted that the inclusion of attractive packages such as cash prize, capacity building opportunities and provision of infrastructure to schools, will, no doubt, motivate and inspire more teachers across the nation to work towards being exceptional.
Congratulating the awardees and other participating teachers in the competition, he tasked them to remain committed and dedicated to the profession. He noted that the Federal Government was willing and ready to partner with the company to ensure that education is delivered qualitatively, efficiently and functionally in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Hans Essaaadi who lauded all the stakeholders for partnering through the journey stated that the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition serves as a rare opportunity or platform for the company to celebrate and show immense gratitude and appreciation to teachers for their invaluable contribution to the society.
“Tonight, offers us another opportunity to celebrate this special group of men and women who, for us, are more than just teachers but also mentors, motivators, critics, cheerleaders and much more. This special occasion provides the rare opportunity to awaken us to the magnificent roles of teachers and simultaneously, tasks us to do more in support of the individuals who take pride in this noble profession,”Essaadi said.
He noted that the company’s investment on the competition through Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund is aimed at advancing the quality of education at all levels in Nigeria.
He stated that the investment has helped a great deal in uplifting the nobility of the profession, which is evident in the recognition of 211 State Champions, 8 National Champions, and equipping of 8 schools with educational facilities such as blocks of classrooms, an auditorium, computer laboratories, and a library in the last 9 years.
In his address, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun praised the company for their significant contributions towards making the teaching profession an enviable one amidst the poor morale.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the Lagos State government appreciates the significance of such competition in improving the quality of teaching and students performance as a whole.
In her remarks, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan expressed deep appreciation to all valued stakeholders for the immense support for the competition, most especially the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for providing the company with access to its database of verified and registered teachers as well as providing the teachers with adequate information about the competition and requirements for the application process.
“We are deeply appreciative of the tremendous support that we have received from all of our education stakeholders, led by the Federal Ministry of Education who have unequivocally endorsed the Maltina Teacher of the Year since 2019,” Morgan said.
She disclosed that this year’s edition of the competition was quite unprecedented as it witnessed the highest number of entries ever with a record-breaking 1,499 entries from all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.
According to her, this feat or development has proven that the competition is indeed gaining the deserved popularity among teachers in Nigeria.
“We received an impressive 1,203 valid entries, which is the second-highest number we have received since the inception of the competition,” she said.
While praising the esteemed panel of judges for their commitment to transparency, diligence, professionalism and the job well done in the determination of winners, she noted that their involvement in the evaluation process has been critical to the success of the competition, considering the exceptional quality of entries received.. She applauded the partners for their unwavering commitment and contribution to the success of this year’s edition of the competition.
In his remarks, Legal Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uaboi Agbebaku who commended all the critical stakeholders including the Federal Government, Lagos Sate Government for their role and contribution in ensuring that teaching, which forms the critical sector of our national life, continues to grow.
Agbebaku expressed profound appreciation to partner sponsors for leading the way in supporting the company to recognize and celebrate outstanding teachers in Nigeria.
Since its inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative has produced nine grand winners, Rose Nkemdilim Obi(2015), Imoh Essien(2016), Felix Ariguzo,(2017), Olasunkanmi Opeifa,(2018), Ezem Collins (2019), Oluwabunmi Anani (2020), Abanika Taiye(2021), Alaku Ayiwulu and now Adeola Adefemi.
