From John Bassey, Kebbi
Enugu State witnessed a historic gathering as the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) opened its 59th National Delegates Conference and 8th Quadrennial National Conference, with delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in attendance.
The centre of attraction at the conference was the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, who arrived in Enugu in grand style.
Governor Idris rose through the ranks of the teaching profession and the NUT—from a primary school class monitor to Branch Chairman, State Chairman of NUT in Kebbi, National Treasurer, National Deputy President and eventually National President of the NUT and Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He is the first former NUT President to become a governor in Nigeria.
His entrance into the conference hall was greeted with a standing ovation, as teachers chanted, “Teacher-Governor! Teacher-Governor!”
Addressing delegates, the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, described Governor Idris as “the Pride of Nigerian Teachers.”
Amba said anyone who had visited Kebbi State before and after Governor Idris assumed office would notice significant changes in infrastructure, education, healthcare, street lighting and workers’ welfare.
He said Governor Idris had demonstrated that a teacher could provide effective leadership and deliver tangible results.
According to the Kebbi State NUT Chairman, Comrade Zaki Sarki, Governor Idris’ teacher-friendly achievements include:
Approval and implementation of full sequential and consequential salary adjustments for primary school teachers, a benefit that had reportedly been abandoned for more than 15 years.
Restoration and payment of Headmasters’ and Assistant Headmasters’ responsibility allowances, which had reportedly been unpaid for over 20 years.
Implementation of a N75,000 minimum wage, above the N70,000 national benchmark.
Implementation of promotions for 2023, 2024 and 2025, including payment of arrears.
Payment of the 2024 and 2025 annual leave grants to teachers.
Settlement of outstanding gratuities and pensions for retired teachers.
Approval of car and motorcycle loan schemes for teachers.
Construction and renovation of more than 2,000 primary schools across the 21 Local Government Areas.
Recruitment of more than 2,000 primary school teachers, 1,500 secondary school teachers and 500 science teachers.
Absorption of more than 300 volunteer teachers into the core civil service.
Regular capacity-building programmes and training for teachers.
Appointment of 21 professors as Chairmen of Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) to strengthen academic leadership in basic education management.
Declaration of a state of emergency in education and an increase in scholarship opportunities.
Governor Idris has also extended similar interventions to the wider civil service through prompt and regular payment of salaries before the end of each month, clearance of outstanding gratuity and death-benefit arrears, and implementation of promotions across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Other projects include the construction of an ultra-modern State Secretariat Complex at Gwadangaji and the Kaura Cares empowerment programme, worth billions of naira, targeting youths, women and vulnerable groups.
The monthly wage bill for primary school teachers has reportedly increased from N586 million to more than N1.2 billion.
The Kebbi NUT and NLC have both issued statements commending the Governor and urging teachers to reciprocate the government’s interventions with greater dedication to their duties.
As Governor Idris, a former teacher and NUT leader, took centre stage at the NUT conference in Enugu, Kebbi teachers expressed pride in his journey from the classroom and union leadership to the Government House.
His story, according to the union, demonstrates the leadership potential of teachers when given the opportunity to serve at the highest levels of government.