Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the important role teachers play in the life of students, communities and nations must be appreciated in society.

Osinbajo said this on Friday at the 2022 Maltina Teacher-of-the-Year Award ceremony in Lagos.

“The teacher must be appreciated. Everyone needs affirmation and encouragement. It can only lead to greater attainments; which is why the Maltina Teacher-of-the-Year Award is an incredible boost for teachers and the teaching profession,” he said.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by his aide, Laolu Akande, the Vice President appreciated the efforts of the organisers of the awards – Nigerian Breweries Limited, saying they “ought to be commended for the thoughtful and impactful annual awards and saying so well what we all ought to be saying to our teachers every day; thank you, thank you, and thank you.”

Osinbajo further noted that a teacher’s dedication and commitment to service can inspire hope and confidence in their students and take the profession to greater heights.

His words: “A few days ago, I sent an inquiry to her about how the award had impacted her life and career, and she said that it has provided her with more resources to impact more lives and that she could now teach more students for free.

“I don’t experience the financial stress anymore because being the Maltina-Teacher-of-the-Year has opened up a larger platform for me; so people and organizations are now supporting my efforts in educating the rural community.”

Speaking about the achievements of his former students, the Vice President said: “As you must have noticed, I speak with much pride about my former students. The successes of our students are such an immense source of pride and satisfaction, the type of reward money cannot buy.”

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Referring to his personal experiences from primary school to the university, Osinbajo stated: “A word from a teacher to a student can make such a difference in the life of that student. People often say with a great deal of sarcasm that a teacher’s reward is in heaven.

“The saying is meant to suggest that teaching is not financially lucrative. That’s true. But the saying misses an important point about most committed teachers; for such teachers their greatest joy and satisfaction comes from seeing their pupils and students do well and become successes in life.”

He further narrated how the words of encouragement from his class teacher in Primary School, Mrs. Oyegun, Secondary School English teacher, Mrs Bola Elushade, affected him and brought confidence.

The Vice President also recalled how the encounter with a lecturer in the university, Dr. Akin Oyebode, “influenced my choice of the legal profession”.

During different periods spanning the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, Osinbajo was a lecturer and then senior lecturer of Law at University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor of Law and Head of the Department of Public Law at the university.

He also taught Law at Lagos State University (LASU).

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the various categories of awards to winners, including the 2022 Teacher of the Year, which went to Alaku Ayiwulu, from the Federal Government College, Jos.

The Vice President was also honoured by the organisers with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding impact on many lives and his life of service as a teacher of over four decades.

The Star