Governor Mbah Establishes ₦30k Minimum Wage Committee for Primary School Teachers 

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has established a committee to address the payment of the ₦30,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers in the state.

The announcement was made by Chief Theophilus Odo, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Enugu State wing, during the 2023 World Teachers’ Day celebration. Odo, a committee member, expressed gratitude to the governor for this initiative.

Addressing the theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day, “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage,” he emphasized the importance of reshaping societal values.

He stressed the need for embracing values such as stewardship, steadfastness, commitment to service, and sincerity, which characterize an ideal teacher. 

He emphasized that cultivating this moral vision against the false values of acquisitiveness, oppression, and exploitation is crucial to reawakening Nigerian teachers to their duties and responsibilities to the nation, similar to the past.

NUT Chairman, Chief Theophilus Odo, highlighted the need for recruiting new teachers, settling outstanding promotions, and paying leave allowances for primary and post-primary teachers in Enugu State. He also requested an 18-seater bus for union use due to the inadequacy of existing vehicles. 

Odo emphasized the importance of respecting teachers and condemned incidents where teachers were assaulted in front of students and guardians. He encouraged teachers to uphold professionalism and dedication in their work.

At the event, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, representing the governor, praised teachers as role models and mentors, affirming the government’s commitment to supporting the teaching profession in the state.

Also, Prof. Obiamaka Egbo highlighted the theme’s relevance, emphasizing the challenge of the teacher shortage in Nigeria. She stressed education as a fundamental right and vital for personal and national development, urging a focus on well-trained and motivated teachers to address the shortage and enhance the quality of education provided to children and youth.