BY DAUD OLATUNJI

The Ogun State Government has presented cash awards to some teachers who emerged winners at the “2012 Presidential Teachers and School Excellence Award” held in Abuja last year.

Also rewarded were some secondary school students who did the state proud at various national academic competitions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela, said the reward was a fulfilment of an earlier pledge and appreciation of the giant strides of the awardees  so as to motivate others to perform excellently.

Gov Ibikunle Amosun

Amosun said his administration would continue to take the necessary steps to provide qualitative education and enhance teaching and learning through the provision of facilities, while those who  achieved academic excellence would always be rewarded.

“Our government will continually provide all the impetus for all-round transformation of the education sector in the state to maintain  the lead and Ogun State shall remain the best.”

The awardees are Mr. Adeniji Olufemi, the overall Best School Administrator in Nigeria in the Secondary Schools category, Alhaji Nosiru Alli, winner of Junior Secondary category and Alhaji Musibau Ayinde Falade, the second Best School Head Teacher in the Primary School category in the country.

Others are Mr. Sobande Abidemi Olakunle who emerged as the second Best Teacher in the Junior Secondary category and Mrs. Sotonwa Tanimowo, the third Best Primary School Teacher in the country.

The students are Master Uwa Benjamin, winner of Cowbell Mathematics Competition; Miss Christianah Adeloye, the 2011 Best candidate in the West African Senior Secondary Examination in the country and 2nd best in West Africa; and Omoniyi Ayodeji, the 2012 Best candidate in the West African Senior Secondary Examination.

Responding on behalf of other awardees, Mr. Adeniji Olufemi noted that the education sector in the State had been repositioned through the free and qualitative education policy of the government, saying an indication to this was the marked increase in students’ enrolment in public schools.

He also appreciated the Governor for the gesture, submitting that it would spur the awardees and others to perform better.