Edo to recruit 3,000 teachers

Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, has revealed plans to employ 3,000 teachers in the state.

This was contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Wednesday.

Okpebholo supervised the handing out of letters of employment to 5,000 teachers in the state last Wednesday.

The teachers, who for years were on contract with a monthly stipend of ₦65,000 during the administration of Godwin Obaseki, were formally handed appointment letters during a ceremony held at Government House.

The governor emphasised the significance of the occasion and the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.

In appreciation of the governor’s kind gesture, the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers were at the government house on Tuesday, where it conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on the governor by Edo in recognition of his exceptional reforms and commitment to repositioning the state’s education sector.

The award was presented by NUT State Chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, in the company of the Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwahide.

In return, the governor announced plans to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers to strengthen teaching capacity and improve learning outcomes across public schools in the state.

Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation to Edo teachers for their diligence and patriotism in shaping the future of the State.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as the cornerstone of human development.

“Teachers remain a top priority in our development agenda and the state has finalised plans to employ 3000 additional teachers.

“We are building and renovating schools across Edo, and as infrastructure improves, so must manpower. Our goal is to ensure that no school lacks qualified teachers and that every child receives quality education in a conducive learning environment,” the governor said.

Okpebholo emphasised that his administration had put an end to the era of overcrowded classrooms and combined classes that once defined Edo’s public schools, noting that the new education reforms have already restored public confidence in the system.

He also reiterated that his government would not engage in political witch-hunts, but would allow performance and public perception to judge the actions of the previous administration.

If the last administration had performed well, the Edo people would have felt it. We are focused on rebuilding the system and restoring pride in our schools. My administration is committed to results, not rhetoric,” Okpebholo stated.

The governor further assured continued collaboration with labour unions to sustain industrial harmony and drive collective progress.

He pledged to donate a bus to the NUT to facilitate its statewide operations and monitoring activities across Edo’s 18 local government areas.

“We will continue to maintain a strong working relationship with the NUT and all labour unions. The welfare of teachers remains the heart of our education reforms,” he added.

In his remarks, Ajobiewe commended the governor for regularising the employment of over 5,000 Edo-Star teachers, who had remained contract staff for more than three years under the previous administration.

“In less than a year, our story as teachers has changed from frustration to fulfilment. Governor Okpebholo has not only restored dignity to the teaching profession but has rekindled hope in public education. His actions demonstrate true leadership and empathy,” Ajobiewe said.

Similarly, Egwahide praised the governor’s people-oriented leadership and promised the union’s continued support for his administration.

We are grateful to a governor who listens, acts, and delivers. The workers of Edo State will stand by you as you continue to transform our education sector and fulfil your promises,” he affirmed.

Since assuming office, Okpebholo has undertaken bold and historic reforms that are transforming the State’s civil and public service into one of the most efficient and professional in the federation.

Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, is championing the reforms on behalf of the administration.

One of the most remarkable reforms is Governor Okpebholo’s decision to end outsourced cleaning contracts and directly employ 1,000 cleaners as civil servants.

In addition, close to 2,000 new staff have been recruited across critical sectors: health, education, and agriculture, bringing the total number of new employees to over 3,000 in less than a year.

culled from punch.