Nigerian Breweries Plc has commissioned a newly built
blockof classrooms, library and toilet facilities at the Special Education
Center for Exceptional Children in Uyo, State in honour
of Imoh Eno-Essien, the 2016 Maltina Teacher of the Year.
The construction of the facilities in the school where Mr.
Essien teaches was part of the prize for emerging as the 2016 Maltina
Teacher of the Year. Essien, who beat nine other finalists to the coveted prize
last year, also got one million Naira cash prize, an oversea training plus
another one million Naira to be paid to him annually for five years.
Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Johan Doyer,
who was represented on the occasion by Mr. Kufre Ekanem, the company’s
Corporate Affairs Adviser, explained that the idea of the school-based project
was to ensure that when a teacher wins, the community where he/she teaches also
wins.
Doyer noted that the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative
was hinged on a realization that teachers hardly get the recognition they
deserve in spite of the pivotal role they play in determining the quality of
our education and the future of our country. “We set out with an aspiration to
recognize, celebrate and embolden teachers. So far, the Maltina Teacher of the
Year initiative has produced 42 State Champions and two overall winners
selected by an independent panel of judges,” he said.
While thanking the governor of Akwa Ibom state, His
Excellency, Deacon Udom Emmanuel for accepting to commission the facility for
use by the school, he congratulated Akwa Ibom State on its ongoing 30th Anniversary
celebrations. “It is a unique time to have His Excellency commission this
project which has further drawn attention to our collective responsibility of
nurturing our children with special needs in a conducive learning environment,”
he said.
Doyer also expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of
Education and other stakeholders for the support and partnership with the
company since the commencement of the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative.
The governor of the state, Deacon Udom Emmanuel, who was
represented on the occasion by the Honourable Commissioner for Education,
Pastor Paul Udofia congratulated the winner, Mr. Imoh Essien for making the
state proud andlauded Nigerian Breweries for the worthy initiative aimed at
celebrating exceptional teachers in Nigeria.
In her remarks, the principal of the school, Pastor (Mrs)
Deborah Benjamin expressed great appreciation to Nigerian Breweries for
what shedescribed as an unparalleled support for the cause of education in the
country.“This singular gesture is a significant milestone in the entire reward
system adopted by Maltina Teacher of the Year organisers by bringing the school
that produced the champion into their scheme of activities,” she said.
An excited Essien equally praised Nigerian Breweries for the
gesture, adding that it takes commitment on the part of the company to
appreciate the great sacrifice and contribution of teachers to the development
of the nation.He enjoined his fellow teachers all over the country to
rededicate themselves to the profession and deepen their passion for their calling.
The Maltina Teacher of the Year is an initiative of the
Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. The fund was
established in 1994 by Nigerian Breweries Plc with a takeoff capital of N100m,
to assist the company play a more active role in the development of education
in Nigeria.
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