Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate, argued that teachers are an essential and crucial component of the country's educational development and that they should be praised and encouraged for their contribution to advancing the country's development.
Obi acknowledged this in his message for World Teachers Day 2022 and thanked all teachers in Nigeria for their sacrifices in ensuring that Nigerian kids at all academic levels acquire a solid intellectual and moral foundation. He claimed that by playing an important part in advancing the educational sector, they are promoting national progress and development, of which education is a crucial element.
Obi urged the teachers to work hard every day to continue serving as positive learning and moral role models for the pupils. Additionally, he exhorted students to keep up with the dynamic and ever-evolving global education system and keep up with their peers throughout the world by constantly improving their knowledge and abilities.
The leading presidential candidate bemoaned the government's ongoing, egregious neglect of education, which he said has led to a clear disregard for teachers' wellbeing. He claimed that the Academic Staff Union of Universities' (ASUU) ongoing strike action is an example of the disregard that the country's poor governance has caused to continue to befall education.
“It remains unimaginable that after eight months of industrial action by the ASUU, the Federal Government is yet to find a lasting solution to the issue which has lingered over the years. How can we achieve a truly progressive nation with education and teachers’ welfare continually relegated to the background,” Obi queried.
He called on the Federal Government to consider the future of the young students, who are the major victims of the ASUU strike and as a matter of urgency, ensure that the demands of ASUU are resolved so that the students can return to school.
Obi recalled his years as the Governor of Anambra State, and how the State soared in educational development, maintaining the first position in WAEC and NECO during his administration. He revealed that the teachers in the State played a significant role in that glorious achievement.
“Just as we managed, motivated, and encouraged the teachers to give their best during my years as Governor of the State, we will ensure that teachers in Nigeria are well trained and motivated to remain productive in their duties, under my watch, when elected the President of the country,” Obi concluded.