NUT Urges Governors to Prioritize Teacher Welfare, Calls for Professionalization
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on its members to strive for professional development to enhance educational standards in Nigeria.
NUT President Comrade Audu Titus Amba delivered this message at the Adamawa State NUT Delegate Conference held in Yola on Tuesday.
Amba emphasized the critical role teachers play as educational and behavioral role models, underscoring the need for them to pursue further qualifications to stay current with evolving educational demands.
Reflecting on the conference’s theme, “Education Challenges in an Economy of Uncertainty: Effect on Teachers,” Amba highlighted the importance of productivity through professional training and retraining to meet the challenges teachers face today.
He encouraged teachers to adapt to changes and continuously improve their skills to provide quality education to their students.
Amba also appealed to state governors to prioritize teachers’ welfare in their respective states to elevate education standards, particularly at the grassroots level.
He stressed that adequate welfare provisions for teachers would significantly contribute to enhancing the quality of education nationwide.
Addressing the issue of the national minimum wage, Amba urged governors to implement the agreed wage in their states without delay, warning that postponement could lead to backlogs and potential labor and legal disputes.
He noted that reports from states where the minimum wage has been implemented revealed excessive taxation on teachers, which he decried as a major issue.
Amba called on conference delegates to elect leaders who would represent the interests of teachers and advocate for their welfare with integrity and boldness.
Adding to the discussion, Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Adamawa Branch, raised concerns about the excessive taxation imposed on civil servants following the recent implementation of the minimum wage in the state.
Fashe expressed appreciation to the state government for recruiting qualified teachers but emphasized the need for more hires, particularly at the primary school level. He encouraged the delegates to conduct themselves with decorum and vote responsibly in the election.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Education Reforms, Prof. Sofema Geoffrey, reiterated his administration’s dedication to prioritizing education throughout his tenure.
Geoffrey noted that the Fintiri administration has implemented several initiatives aimed at advancing the education sector in Adamawa State and acknowledged the NUT’s role in supporting these efforts.
He assured delegates that issues raised at the conference, especially the concern over excessive taxation, would be carefully considered.
At the end of the conference, Comrade Mohammad Abubakar Faisal was elected as the new NUT chairman, receiving 177 votes to defeat his opponent, Comrade Captain Gidauna, who garnered eight votes.
In his acceptance speech, Faisal pledged to practice inclusive governance and foster transparency, promising to unite teachers in achieving shared goals for the betterment of the profession.
Our correspondent in Yola reports that the conference concluded on a positive note, with delegates hopeful that the newly elected leadership would champion the cause of teachers and address the critical issues affecting their welfare and professional development.
