…Borno, Enugu takes second and third position
Alaku Ayiwulu, a Basic Science and Physics teacher from Federal Government College, Jos, Plateau State, has won the 2022 Maltina Teacher of the year award. This was announced at the grand finale of the competition which took place at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
For emerging the winner of the 8th edition of the award, Mr. Ayiwulu will receive a total cash prize of N6.5 million from the Nigerian Breweries- Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund.
According to the organiser, the winner would receive N1.5 million immediately and N1 million annually for the next five years. He also has the privilege to participate in an all-expense paid capacity development training abroad and a fully equipped computer laboratory or six-classroom block worth N20 million will be built for his school in his honour.
The first and second runners-up, Musa Saidu from Borno State and Ifeoma Stella from Enugu State received N1.5 million and N1,250,000 respectively. Musa Saidu, a teacher from Elkanemi College of Islamic Theology, Maiduguri, emerged as the first runner-up going home with a total sum of N1.5 Million; Ifeoma Ifediba, a teacher with Federal Government College, Enugu, emerged as the second runner-up receiving prize money of N1, 250.000.00. In addition, the other 30 teachers who emerged as state champions will be rewarded with a sum of N500,000.00 each.
A Lifetime Leadership Achievement Award was also presented to the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, who gave a recognition award to the former Chairman of Nigerian Breweries, Felix Ohiwerei. The teacher award was named after Ohiwerei who was said to have contributed significantly to the company’s success while he held sway.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who commended Nigerian Breweries Plc for the thoughtful and impactful annual award, stated that the competition is an incredible boost for teachers and the teaching profession, adding that subsequent achievements or successes recorded by previous award recipients have proven to show the significance and impact of the competition.
Osinbajo, who recalled his journey to the teaching profession, explained that he is delighted to be part of history to celebrate and reward teachers who have continued to distinguish themselves as role models in academic institutions and agents of social change in communities across the country.
He stated that the successes of any teacher’s product remain an immense source of pride and satisfaction for the teacher, one for which no amount of money can buy. He reeled out a long list of his former students which include the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, among other prominent politicians, legal scholars, and diplomats.
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, stated the award is a great innovation that serves to motivate teachers and reward their excellent contribution to nation building.
While congratulating NB Plc for setting up the Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund as part of its corporate social responsibility, which has become a stamp of excellence of achievement in the education sector, Adefisayo noted that the competition is quite worthy, given that it has also helped to enhance and facilitate the delivery of qualitative education
“Teacher is a noble profession with so much responsibility and duty towards students. Teachers do not only teach and impart knowledge but inspire and motivate students to take important steps in life. They boost the confidence of students and point them in the right direction. We owe a big thank you to every teacher who has helped our wards directly or indirectly in shaping their lives”, she stated.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Education, Mr Goodluck Nanah Opiah, stated that the competition marks a significant milestone in the collective effort to revamp the education sector to better serve the critical needs and aspirations of the generality of Nigerians. Opiah applauded the effort of NB Plc through the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to celebrate outstanding teachers across Nigeria, stating that the Federal government is delighted about the attractive packages or incentives for the award, which, he said, will in no small measure motivate and inspire more teachers across the nation to work towards being exceptional
According to the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan, a total of 1,027 entries were received for the 2022 awards but 833 entries were valid.
Mrs. Morgan noted that the number of valid entries in 2022 is the highest recorded since 2015 when the award was introduced.
The other 10 teachers who emerged as state champions were also rewarded with the sum of N500,000 each.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc and Chairman of NB/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, Hans Essaadi, said the foundation has successfully executed 85 legacy projects worldwide.
He said: “Teachers inspire us to learn about the world around us and unleash our full potential. They do this with compassion, commitment, and care.
“A teacher is a superhero, and we hope you will join us in celebrating several superheroes who will be seated amongst us tonight! Thank you for your support and belief in our mission of advancing the quality of education at all levels in Nigeria.“From an initial start-up grant of N100 Million Naira in 1994, the NB/Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund has successfully progressed to execute 85 legacy projects nationwide, of which the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition is one of them”.
Shortly after he was announced as the winner of the coveted prize, Ayiwulu thanked Nigerian Breweries Plc for its unalloyed commitment to the teaching profession, as demonstrated through the immense support given to the initiative every year.
“After seven (7) years of recognizing, rewarding, and celebrating teachers across Nigeria, we are now set for what promises to be another unforgettable night for the eventual winners and ultimately the 2022 Maltina Teacher of the Year.”
The Maltina Teacher of the Year Award aims to recognise and celebrate exceptional teachers in Nigeria. The initiative according to the organiser is open to teachers in all secondary schools across the country.
Now in its 8th edition, the Maltina Teacher of the Year competition is a platform created to identify, showcase, and reward exceptional teachers in public and private secondary schools across the country.
It is funded by the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, which was set up in 1994 to advance the quality of education at all levels in Nigeria, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 4.
Since its inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative has produced six 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) Abanika Taiye (2021), and now Alaku Ayiwulu (2022).
The initiative is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in the education sector including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
