By Elizabeth Uwandu

Teachers in Lagos have debunked the saying that their reward is in heaven. They made this claim as they celebrated their own, Deaconess O. Oludemi on her pen down and retirement ceremony held at State Senior Grammar School, a special school for hearing and hearing impaired. The event also corrected the belief that teaching is a job for the jobless.

TRAINING: From left; Dr. A. G. Abbas, Provost, FCE (T), Gombe; Mr. Aina A. K., General Manager, Executive Trainers Ltd; Professor Evangellos Dedoussis, American University in Dubai; Mr. Okafor Aloysius, Bursar, Enugu State University of Science & Technology during an higher education training in Dubai.

The occasion meant for Deacon Oludemi to officially sign the statutory register, log out as a staff of the government and also be welcomed into the Senior Citizen forum, was graced by, representatives of the Tutor General and Permanent Sec. Education District 1V, retired principals addressed by Senior Citizens, principals of schools, past teachers and current teachers of the school, PTA members, old students association, family and well wishers and students of the school.

Mrs Oludemi leaves an unprecedented success story as the she started in the then State Grammar School in 1987 as a teacher.

She became a Vice principal and retires as principal of the same school, now known as State Senior Grammar School( Special) Surulere , April 2015, Though her teaching experience dates back in 1981-82 as corps member- teacher at Surulere Secondary School, Lagiajo Street, Surulere Lagos.

Speaking on the erroneous belief that teaching job is not a well paying one and it is a job for the never do wells, a cross section of teachers said gone where the days where teachers’ reward is in heaven alone but on earth also as they get benefits for their labour.

Chairman of All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary School, ANCOPSS, Surulere chapter and principal of Akinto Grammar school Mr Olunoiki O. .Animashaun  at the occasion said teaching, one of the noblest professions should no longer be looked down as it used to be; due to the paradigm shift in higher remuneration and reward of  Lagos  state teachers compared to their contemporaries in ministries and agencies get.

Now there is a paradigm shift as yesterdays teaching jobs formerly seen as one for the never do wells, is no more, all that has changed. Even the dance steps of teachers as they earn slightly above what their contemporaries in  ministries and agencies get, has changed.

The incoming principal of the school, Mrs. Adetutu A. Oshin.expressed joy over the success of the occasion; she also praise the retired principal for setting a good record of hard work and diligence during her capacity as a principal.

Mrs Oshin ,’’Today the reward for hard work is seen by the honour and encomium given to Mrs Oludemi. Hard works pay, just like me, I was not expecting this post as a principal. My expectations are that in the next three years, I might be a Vice Principal. All glory to God as am now a principal of this school.

Mrs Olayinka Titilayomi Oyebisi and a colleague, who welcomed the newest member of Senior Citizen expressed joy for the life of Mrs Oludemi who laboured and is alive to reap the reward of hard work.

Mr Oyebisi, a senior citizen, who taught with the retired principal in 1987 in the above mentioed school said ‘’ Today, I wish my friend, sister and colleague a fulfilled live. Now she will no longer be answerable to any one, she is now free to enjoy life. Personally I wish her best of luck.

Members of the old student association especially sets of 87,88 and 89 students, many of whom are fathers and mothers came to honour the outgoing principal for the role she played in their lives. Among them is Mr Peter Omoludu, president of OSA and Mr David Kadiri, a Doctorate degree in Lagos State University.

For Mr Omoludu,’ I knew Mrs Oludemi as a Biology teacher whose motherly smile and manner of teaching makes every understood whatever she was saying then whether you like it or not. When she comes to the class, I look up to the ever welcoming smile.

On the part of Mr Kadiri, Éveryone has a root and my root in what I am today is from this school and for the ever loving encouragement of Mrs Oludemi. So my prayers for her as she retires but not tired is that she should keep fit in all areas for greater feats await her.”