Esomnofu Ifechukwu, of Crown Grace School, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, has emerged as the winner of the 10th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition.
At the Grand Finale held in Lagos on Friday, October 11, 2024, Ifechukwu was awarded the prestigious title along with a N10 million cash prize.
In addition to the grand prize, Ifechukwu will receive an all-expense-paid capacity development training abroad and a N30 million infrastructure project for his school.
Kehinde Olukayode from Molusi College, Ogun State, and Aniefiok Udoh from Community Secondary Commercial School, Akwa Ibom State, were named first and second runners-up, receiving N3 million and N2 million cash prizes respectively.
Additionally, 34 state champions were each awarded N1 million.
At the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Jamiu Alli-Balogun, commended Nigerian Breweries for their continued investment in education through the NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund.
He praised teachers for their unwavering contributions to shaping the nation’s future.
Sanwo-Olu pointed out the significant impact of the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative, which aims to uplift the teaching profession and improve educational infrastructure nationwide.
He stated that Lagos has notably benefited, with a digital language lab donated to Keke Senior High School in honor of the 2023 winner, Adeola Adefemi.
“This donation is one of the lasting legacies of the NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. I applaud them for this impacting initiative.
“Since 2015, the initiative has continued to serve as a national platform to recognise, honour, and reward the outstanding efforts of teachers across the country,” he said.
Minister of State for Education Dr. Yusuf Sununu, represented by Yaba College of Technology’s Adedotun Abdul, lauded the competition for inspiring excellence among teachers.
Sununu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving teachers’ careers through a recently developed National Teaching Policy.
Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Hans Essaadi, stated the competition’s decade-long journey in recognizing the crucial role teachers play in shaping future generations.
“This year’s edition is special because it is the tenth. We have reached this milestone because every teacher, parent, and student believes in the power of education.
“So, it is indeed heartwarming that we are gathered here to celebrate the role of teachers as society’s foundation stone on which all professions stand tall, ” he stated.
Corporate Affairs Director Sade Morgan revealed that this year’s competition saw a record-breaking 1,300 valid entries from across Nigeria’s 37 states, marking the highest participation in its history.
In his remarks, Prof. Pat Utomi, the Chairman, Panel of Judges for the Competition, noted that this year’s edition is the most keenly contested since its inception, stating that the quality of entries validates the versatility of our teachers and the rising standard of education in our country Nigeria.
In his acceptance speech, Ifechukwu expressed his gratitude, stating that winning was a long-awaited dream come true, as he had applied since 2020.
Since its inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition has celebrated ten exceptional educators, with past winners including Rose Nkemdilim Obi (2015) and Adeola Adefemi (2023).
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