"Congratulations on World Teachers' Day": Nigerian Governors Declare Public Holiday, Details Emerge

• The governments of Osun, Kwara, and Ogun have declared Monday, October 7, as a public holiday for teachers in their respective states
• The governors explained that the work-free day is to commemorate the 2024 Teachers’ Day celebration
• The work-free day applies to both public and private schools while school will resume academic activities on Tuesday, October 8

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs.

Ilorin, Kwara state - Some Nigerian governors have declared Monday, October 7, a public holiday commemorating the 2024 World Teachers' Day.

Legit.ng reports that World Teachers' Day is an international day held annually on October 5 to celebrate the work of teachers.

The 2024 theme, 'Valuing teacher voices,' emphasises teachers' crucial input in educational policy to create resilient and equitable education systems.

Read also

Police speak as gunmen assassinate prominent APC chieftain in Ogun, details emerge

Governor okays holiday for Kwara teachers

In Kwara, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq approved Monday, October 7, as a public holiday for teachers in the state.

Abdulrazaq commended the educators for what they do to advance human progress through quality teaching and nurturing of minds.

Per a statement by Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, the commissioner for education and human capital development, Governor Abdulrazaq directed that teachers in the public and private sectors enjoy the holiday.

Teachers' Day: Osun declares public holiday

Similarly, in Osun, Governor Ademola Adeleke declared, Monday, October 7, as a public holiday for all teachers in public and private schools throughout the state to mark Teachers' Day.

A statement issued by Oluomo Alimi, the Osun state commissioner for information and public enlightenment, indicated that Governor Adeleke pledged "to do everything morally and officially possible to put smiles on your faces as purveyors of knowledge in this dear state of ours."

Read also

Public holiday: Nigerian governor announces work-free day, details emerge

Governor Adeleke said:

"Please accept my best wishes and congratulations on the occasion of the World Teachers Day."

Abiodun declares Monday holiday for Ogun teachers

In the same vein, the governor of Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, declared Monday, October 7, as a work-free day for teachers in the state.

In honour of the 2024 Teachers’ Day, schools in the state will resume academic activities on Tuesday, October 8.

Teachers' Day 2024: Educators complain

Meanwhile, speaking with Legit.ng, Modinat Adesokan, a private school teacher in Ogun state, lamented that Nigerian teachers are still faced with the challenges of poor salaries.

She noted that lack of motivation, inadequate supply of teachers leading to over-labour on some teachers, inadequate attention to teachers’ wellbeing, and distance from place of work, affect educators.

Adesokan told Legit.ng:

"I studied education, but my efforts to get good-paying jobs were unsuccessful. The teaching jobs I am seeing here in N20,000, N30,000. Many private school teachers are underpaid, but what can we do? We have to strive."

Read also

Presidential Teachers’ Award: Celebration as Zamfara principal emerges overall best, wins brand new car

Similarly, another teacher who teaches in one of the schools in Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara state, Balikis Jimoh, explained that the highest-paid teaching staff in her school gets N18,000.

Her words:

“I handle one of the elementary classes in my school. My take home is N16,000. Here, we are mostly graduates, yet the highest salary in that school is N18,000 for teachers. That is even below the minimum wage, whether old or new."

Jigawa declares hijrah holiday

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi, announced a public holiday in the state to mark the beginning of the Muharram 1446AH, the Islamic calendar.

This was disclosed in a statement by the state commissioner for the establishment, Auwal Manu-Dogondaji, in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

Source: Legit.ng