Wife of Kebbi Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu, has called on the Federal Government to improve teachers’ welfare to enhance their performance and standard of education.
Bagudu made this call at a seminar organised by the FAME Foundation, for female head teachers in the FCT to commemorate the International Women’s Day.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “BoldForChange“.
Bagudu, who is also a Founder of Mallpai, an NGO, was represented by Hajiya Sa’adatu Bello, the Secretary of the foundation.
She said that Nigeria needed to invest a lot in teachers’ welfare and training to have quality education system, adding “education is an investment, so we have to invest in order to build the nation.’’
“The saying that teachers’ reward is in heaven is true because no matter what you give to a teacher, you cannot pay him.
“That is why their lives and condition of living should be made very comfortable and conducive to enhance their performance.
“So, I will like to use this medium to call on the Federal Government improve on the welfare of teachers across the federation, ‘’ she said.
She urged teachers to be enthusiastic and caring to students and pay close attention to their needs to build confidence in their studies.
Mrs Tonto Dikeh, a Nollywood actress and the President of Tonto Dikeh Foundation, called on women to assist one another in life.
Dikeh, said that her foundation was collaborating with the FAME Foundation to lay solid foundation in the education sector.
According to her, the foundation would train and support children and ensure that the indigent children go back to school, especially girls because they are the leaders of tomorrow.
She also urged rape victims to speak up and seek justice for themselves because rape was not their fault.
“I urge women to learn to speak out if they are raped or experience domestic violence because it is in speaking out that help will come.
“I will like to remind rape victims that they are still beautiful and God loves them so they should learn to talk; this year alone the foundation has received 25 rape cases form January to date.’’
Dikeh urged women to be strong and face life squarely on this international women’s day.
Mrs Pawa Dogo, representative of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT, Municipal Branch, urged teachers to see themselves as role models and exemplary leaders to their pupils.
Dogo implored them to be agents of social and moral change in their schools in ensuring standards and academic excellence.
She, however, said that the union in collaborating with relevant government authorities will create enabling atmosphere in schools.
Mrs Aderonke Bello, Founder of the Female Advocacy Mentoring Empowerment (FAME) Foundation, said the event was aimed at empowering teachers to enable them mould a better future for the youths.
Bello said the seminar was also designed to enlighten and empower female head teachers to realise their ability, rights, control and benefit from resources at their disposal.
She said the foundation’s focus was on teacher empowerment and advised teachers to transfer their knowledge to their students, families and friends.
The event was supported by the European Union delegation to Nigeria, Latiliyan Project, UNFPA, Bells Echo Initiative, Mallpai Foundation, Engage TV and Pillars developmental foundation.
