Omolabake Fasogbon
A non-profit organisation, Teach for Nigeria (TFN) has commended its fellow who emerged overall and first African winner of Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award, Akeem Badru for an impressive outing and performance.
The award, an initiative of Cambridge University Press is a global competition that celebrates the exceptional contributions of teachers, with which over 11,000 nominations from 99 countries were received for the 2023 edition.
Badru emerged winner through public vote following his outstanding STEM project, ‘First Steps Initiative,’ that saw him utilised craft and model-making to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The project originated during his two years fellowship project with TFN.
Speaking during the award presentation ceremony in Ogun State, CEO of TFN, Folawe Omikunle commended the winner’s commitment and dedication to service, adding that his feat was an affirmation of TFN’ s vision to building a generation of teachers committed to improving learning quality.
She said: “Even after completing the TFN programme, seeing Badru continues with the essence of the organisation gives me so much hope for the movement that we are building. His success serves as an inspiration to teachers across the nation and the continent, showcasing the transformative power of education and the significant role teachers play in shaping the future.”
In his remarks, Publishing Director for Education, Cambridge University Press, Matthew Walker reiterated that the award aimed to celebrate and support the significant role of teachers in transforming next generation.
He averred that teachers play important roles in shaping young minds, particularly amid “lost learning” caused by the pandemic.
The award entitles Badru and his school to professional development opportunities from Cambridge University and he will also feature in Cambridge University textbooks as a token of gratitude and inspiration for other teachers.
