In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) thrusts and investments in development of education in Nigeria, through its Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, Nigerian Breweries Plc celebrated teachers at the Grand Finale of the 7th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year held on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
A Technical Drawing teacher, Taiye Abanika, who teaches at James Hope College,Agbor in Delta State emerged the winner of the prestigious award as 2021 Maltina Teacher of the Year.
With his emergence as the winner of the 7th edition of the initiative, Abanika will receive a total cash prize of N6.5 million (N1.5million immediately and N1million annually for the next five years) from the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund.
Apart from the cash gift, he would also be rewarded with other incentives including an all-expense paid capacity development training abroad, a fully equipped computer laboratory or six-classroom block worth N20 million to be built for his school in his honour by the Fund.
Isaac Terver Pev, a teacher with Government Day Secondary School,Yonko, Taraba State emerged the first runner-up winning a total sum of N1.5 MillionMargaret Ngozi Ofordum, a teacher with Government Science & Technology College, Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, emerged as the second runner-up with a prize money of N1, 250.000.00 while other 30 teachers who emerged as state champions were also rewarded with a sum of N500, 000.00 each.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof.Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Honourable Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba lauded the company’s unwavering commitment to recognizing and rewarding teachers through the initiative noting that their immense support has contributed a great deal in motivating the teachers not only in expanding beyond borders as witnessed in the representation of Nigeria at the global stage but also in reaching their full potentials.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Hans Essaadi explained that the initiative was designed to recognize, celebrate and reward amazing men and women who through their daily work as teachers have contributed tremendously in building solid foundation for the society we live in.
“A good teacher inspires hope, ignites the imagination, and instills a love of learning – literally shaping and changing lives. As individuals, a great part of who we are today, and what we have achieved in life, can be traced back to the education we received from our teachers”, Essaadi added.
Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo who represented the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Nigerian Breweries Plc for their relentless effort and tenacity in celebrating exceptional teachers through the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative stating that such contribution would go long way to improve performance among the students and motivate teachers generally to take pride in the profession.
In her remarks, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sade Morgan who commended the invaluable contributions of teachers to shaping lives and grooming leaders stated that this year’s edition recorded an impressive number of entries from 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory as the initiative received a total of 1085 entries.
While applauding the panel of judges for their transparency, professionalism, the rigours and the tenacity in determining the winners, Morgan noted that the calibre of the top 10 finalists including the eventual winner truly attests to the creativity and practicality that were adopted in the evaluation process for this year’s edition.
Speaking shortly after he was announced as the winner of the coveted prize, Abanika expressed gratitude to Nigerian Breweries Plc for restoring pride to the teaching profession by recognizing and rewarding teachers through the initiative.
Since inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative has produced seven grand winners, Rose Nkemdilim Obi, Anambra (2015), Imoh Essien, Akwa Ibom (2016), Felix Ariguzo, Delta State (2017), Olasunkanmi Opeifa, FCT (2018), Ezem Collins (2019), Oluwabunmi Anani(2020) and now Abanika Taiye(2021).
#
ABOUT MALTINA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
In 2015, Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund introduced the Maltina Teacher of the Year, a national competition, to identify, honour and reward outstanding teachers in Nigeria.
Maltina Teacher of the Year is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education other stakeholders in education including the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
ABOUT NIGERIAN BREWERIES-FELIX OHIWEREI EDUCATION TRUST FUND
The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund was set up in 1994 with a startup capital of 100 million Naira to enable sustained quality education through structured intervention in the sector.
The Fund has footprints across the six geographical zones in Nigeria at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Through the Fund, NB Plc has constructed and furnished over 400 classrooms, sanitary facilities and libraries in 74 communities across the country. The Fund has also granted scholarships to deserving students in tertiary institutions.
Nigerian Breweries Plc, incorporated in 1946 is the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria. With 23 malt and beer brands within its portfolio, it serves the Nigerian market and exports to other parts of West Africa. Nigerian Breweries Plc which is driven by the corporate philosophy of “Winning with Nigeria”, has continued to take an increasingly active part in supporting education, amongst our other CSR focus areas.
