Emma Elekwa
Executive Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Awka, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi has congratulated Anambra State Teacher, Mr. Chekwube Ifetike for emerging victorious at the just concluded 2026 National Teachers’ Summit held at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
The summit convened by the Federal Ministry of Education with the theme: “Empowering Teachers, Strengthening the System: A National Agenda for Education Transformation and Sustainability”, was chaired by Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.
It also provided a platform for Nigerian teachers to be celebrated and appreciated by President’s wife as the Anambra Teacher, Ifetike, from Government Technical College, Onitsha clinched a cash prize of N25 million for winning the Best Teacher in the Senior Secondary category, South East, and the 1st Runner-up nationally.
According to Nwadinobi, twelve teachers received a cheque of N25 million each while the overall best Nigerian Teacher won N50 million, a car from Governor Zulum of Bornu State, with a flat by his own State Governor.
The ASUBEB boss expressed joy that the massive investment being made in the education sector by the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has continued to yield unquantifiable dividends to both schools and teachers in the state.
Transforming teaching
Various speakers including the Lead Paper Presenter, Emeritus Prof. PAI Obanye, and Prof. Steve Nwokeocha spoke on “Transforming the Teaching Profession: Strategic Vision for the Nigerian Teacher”.
They emphasized the need to empower teachers by transforming the teaching profession through education reforms to improve learning outcomes.
The speakers also stressed the need to ensure teachers’/ wellbeing; strengthening their capacity with quality curriculum; and provision of innovative pedagogies and technology in a changing world.
The launch of Edurevamp, special awards to the 1st Lady of Nigeria for her Renewed Hope Initiative, and investment in education; plenary sessions, and rewards to outstanding Nigerian Teachers featured prominently.
Critical stakeholders in attendance were Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa; the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmed; representatives of development partners, including UNICEF, UNESCO, British Council and World Bank.
Others were some National Assembly Members; Heads of Educational Institutions and Agencies, such as the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, the Registrar, Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN; and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC; the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE; and the Nigerian Education Group, NEG were also in attendance.
Also present were Commissioners for Education and SUBEB Chairmen from the 36 States, and FCT, including Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh and Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi of Anambra State respectively; Permanent Secretaries of education across the nation; Teachers and learners, among others.
