Uchechukwu Nnaike
A Technical Drawing teacher at James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State, Taiye Abanika, has been named the 2021 Maltina Teacher of the Year at the grand finale held on October at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
With his emergence as the winner of the seventh edition of the initiative, Abanika will receive a total cash prize of N6.5 million (N1.5 million immediately and N1 million annually for the next five years) from theNigerian Breweries- Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund.
Apart from the cash gift, he would also benefit from 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 by the fund.
Isaac Pev, a teacher with Government Day Secondary School, Yonko, Taraba State emerged the first runner-up winning a total of N1.5 million. Ngozi Ofordum of Government Science and Technology College, Garki, Abuja emerged the second runner-up with a cash prize of N1,250.000, while other 30 teachers who emerged as state champions were also rewarded with N500, 000 each.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-President, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba lauded the company’s unwavering commitment to recognising and rewarding teachers through the initiative. He noted that the company’s support has contributed in motivating the teachers not only in expanding beyond borders, but also in reaching their full potential.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Hans Essaadi said the initiative was designed to recognise, celebrate and reward amazing men and women who through their daily work as teachers have contributed in building solid foundation for the society.
“A good teacher inspires hope, ignites the imagination, and instills a love of learning- literally shaping and changing lives. As individuals, a great part of who we are today, and what we have achieved in life, can be traced back to the education we received from our teachers,” Essaadi added.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, thanked the company for the relentless effort and tenacity in celebrating exceptional teachers through the initiative, adding that such contribution would improve performance among the students and motivate teachers generally to take pride in the profession.
In her remarks, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sade Morgan, who lauded the contributions of teachers to shaping lives and grooming leaders, stated that this year’s edition recorded an impressive number of entries across the country, as the initiative received a total of 1,085 entries.
While applauding the panel of judges for their transparency, professionalism, the rigour and the tenacity in determining the winners, Morgan noted that the calibre of the top 10 finalists including the eventual winner truly attests to the creativity and practicality that were adopted in the evaluation process for this year’s edition.
Speaking shortly after he was announced the winner, Abanika thanked Nigerian Breweries for restoring pride to the teaching profession by recognising and rewarding teachers through the initiative.
Since inception, the initiative has produced seven 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) and now Abanika Taiye (2021).
