The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Thursday, joined the leaders across the world to mark the 2023 World Teachers’ Day, noting that teachers “are the builders of nations worldwide.”
Bamidele, also Chairman of the Southern Senators’ Forum in the 9th National Assembly, appealed to the federal, state and local governments “to ensure better working conditions for teachers across Nigeria.”
In a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Thursday, the Senate leader noted that teachers “have taken many destines from obscurity to limelight irrespective of their backgrounds and beliefs.
“Whether in Nigeria or the world over, teachers have turned pupils from stark illiterate backgrounds to global champions in their professional callings. They are no doubt true builders of our dear fatherland.”
He attested to the contribution of the 9th National Assembly to teachers’ development and welfare, citing the enactment of the Harmonised Retirement Age of Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022, which reviewed teachers’ retirement age to 65 years and length of service to 40 years.
He emphasised the strategic roles of teachers in bringing over 20 million out-of-school children back to the classrooms in line with the vision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
By their duties, the Senate Leader noted that teachers “are capable of identifying, developing and deploying their teaching talent to produce human capital that our nations require for national development and economic growth.
“I therefore congratulate all teachers, whether in the public or private schools nationwide, on the 2023 World Teachers’ Day. I also pledge to use my good offices to promote all pro-people legislations that will boost living conditions of our teachers across the federation.”
