Nine hundred (900) teachers from public and private secondary schools in the Lagos East Senatorial District who had successfully completed the first phase of the Lagos East Teachers Fellowship Programme at the Senator Abiru Innovation Lab (SAIL) had their graduation ceremony on Friday.
The graduation ceremony, which was held virtually via zoom, had in attendance the Distinguished Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, the Special Adviser to the Senator on Constituency Matters, Dr. Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, SAIL Hub Manager, Mr. Deji Abisola, the re:Learn by Co-creation Hub (Cc-Hub) team, and participants who were graduating, among others.
Senator Abiru, in his remarks, said the programme is aimed at enhancing the capacity of teachers, which will lead to improved learning outcomes for students.
He said: “In the last 4 weeks, teachers from our schools, both private and public, numbering over 900, have been learning modern ways of teaching, which include Inquiry Based Learning (IBL), how to use technological tools to develop teaching aids for their students, amongst others.
“This is the first phase of the training specially designed to improve the quality of our teachers and equip them for global relevance in this age of technology and innovation. The top 120 teachers will make it to the physical class, which shall be held in our new purposely built facility in Ikorodu over the next 3 months”.
The #DoingGood Senator who is executing his mandate through major three(3) pillars, namely; legislative role, empowerment/facilitation, and endowment, said, “The SAIL initiative falls under my endowment pillar, and it is resourced through my foundation, Tokunbo Abiru Constituency Team (TACT) Foundation, and my goodwill as a Chartered Accountant, economist, accomplished banker, and seasoned administrator.”
On his part, Dr Ibikunle, an accomplished educationist, applauded Senator Abiru’s efforts at developing the capacity of teachers, adding that it aligns with the UNESCO theme for World Teachers’ Day 2022, “The transformation of education begins with teachers.”
Dr Ibikunle said, “The transformation of education begins with the teachers. Teachers play a pivotal role in the development of young minds, and all elements that ensure learning effectiveness rest with teachers.
“Inquiry-based learning should aim at instructional effectiveness. It must be brought into the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. That is what will lead to total education.”
He admonished graduating teachers to share the knowledge they have acquired and join hands to build an egalitarian society.
Graduating participants, who were overwhelmed with joy, showed appreciation for the kind gesture of the Senator, particularly his enormous investment in the human capital development of his constituents.
Maryam Ettu Odunami said, “Thank you so much. As I was learning, I was carrying my colleagues in the school along with me, and they really loved it.
Another elated teacher said, “I am very proud to be part of the Lagos East Teachers Fellowship Programme. It is highly pleasant.
Outstanding teachers who were celebrated during the event include: Oladejo Mariam Opeyemi, Odueyingbo Rebecca Omolola, Koya Eloho Taiwo, Bello Abiola Ashirafdeen, Atilola Oluwaseun Joseph, Akinsowon Titilayo Damilola, Osoba Blessing Chinyere, and Sobowale Adefolahan Olusesan.
SAIL Hub Manager, Deji Abisola, said Senator Abiru has proven that politics is about service with the ways he has been implementing his #DoingGood agenda.
He urged Lagos East residents to vote enmasse for him in 2023 to continue with their good works.