Recently updated on January 31st, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Titilope Blessing Dairo from Citytop School, Egbeda, Lagos State has emerged winner of the The Influential Teacher Contest Season 3.
The Influential Teacher Contest Season 3 was organised in 2022 by Vera James GC in recognition of teachers’ hard work, professionalism, and dedication to duty.
The winners include: Titilope Blessing Dairo who emerged the first prize winner. Gideon Chinaza Nnakude from Oluyole Estate Extension, Ibadan, Oyo State, came second.
The third place winners include Gladys Ijeoma Peter of Noblegate School, Westwood Estate Badore Road, Ajah, Lagos State and Clementina Pere-Ere Arisou from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Speaking during the last year’s programme, Principal Consultant, Vera James GC Limited, Dr. Vera James, said the recognition came at a time when the teaching profession offers little or no appeal for the younger generation.
“Teachers are not at the top of our dear nation’s priority list, but we must put ourselves there as the world’s priority class. This is what the Vera James GC stands for.
Teachers are change agents, making daily impacts on the lives of our children. Their work largely goes unnoticed or unpraised by the world and sometimes us. I’m also a teacher. This is why this year, our contest encouraged every teacher to take some time to tell their star stories.
If teachers do not tell their stories, no one probably will. Teachers must be able to sell themselves anywhere to anyone. This is not about making a name for themselves, but improving their art and confidence on the job.”
She added that Nigeria has the largest population of youths in the world, with a median age of 18.10 years. About 70 per cent of the population is under 30, and 42 per cent is under 15.
The size and youthfulness of the population also mean that teachers will be required to take care of the educational needs of these children and youth to make Nigeria great.
