Dogara seeks improved welfare, stakeholders urge empowerment, training

• Kogi NUT suspends strike

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara yesterday urged the authorities to improve the welfare of teachers.In a statement to mark the 2017 World Teachers Day, Dogara said teachers deserve to be commended for their service to the development of the Nigerian child. 

He canvassed opportunities of continuous training and retraining, improved remuneration and provision of requisite infrastructure to enable them to impart knowledge to students in line with global standards.According to him, the empowerment of teachers remains a top priority in all education and development strategies. 

He also advocated the security of lives for teachers, even as he commended the improved security in the northeast for teachers to resume their duties.The speaker implored security agencies to end the harrowing incidents of kidnappings of teachers and students. 

He said: “Teachers are the most important people in the development of any individual and by implication, the society. This has conferred on them a priority status in which, sadly, has not reflected in their conditions of service or living standards.”

Also, stakeholders yesterday canvassed greater attention for teachers to enhance the development of the sector.They stressed the need for government at all levels to give priority attention to the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to make students globally competitive and the nation technologically compliant.

They spoke at the STEM symposium and awards held by Agbami Parties, in collaboration with the Lagos Business School (LBS), at the Honeywell auditorium of LBS.According to the Founder, Teaching Network Foundation, Dr. Dolapo Ogunbanwo, teachers must be empowered to effectively train the students.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global International College, Mrs. Abolaji Osime, stressed training for teachers to meet technological needs.Also, the General Manager, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Esimaje Brikinn, stressed the importance of STEM.

He explained that the company identified some gaps in the sector, hence its decision to institute a scholarship programme in medical and engineering courses to enhance capacity development.The Director, Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, Richard Kennedy, said information-based and technology-driven global society is necessary to develop the youths.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of teachers (NUT) in Kogi State has suspended its planned industrial action.The state Chairman, Thomas Ayodele disclosed this yesterday while marking the day in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.He explained that the establishment of a committee to look into their demands informed the suspension.