It was an occasion for all-round smiles, backslapping and appreciation as the Dr. Tim Anusiem Education Foundation witnessed the Grand Finale of the Teachers’ Award Day in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.
The first of its kind event was attended by Primary and Secondary School Teachers from various schools in Obowo, who converged at Central School Umuariam where painstakingly selected Teachers were given special awards for their contributions to the germane growth of school children.
Dr Timothy Anusiem, based in the USA but a native of Umuosi, Avutu, Obowo, instituted the Foundation to encompass undergraduates’ grants, pupils’/students award and also to reward exceptional teachers without whom the students will be clueless. It is also to encourage other teachers who face tremendous pressure due to the discouraging environment obtainable in their professional field more especially in Nigeria.
Before these awards, six undergraduates who submitted their JAMB admission letters and JAMB results had been given some grants. They are Joshua Okonkwo from Umuokeh studying Mechanical Engineering – 100,000; Timothy Ndukuba from Avutu studying Economics – 50,000 and Nduka Udochukwu from Umuariam studying Mass Communication. Consolation grants of 10,000 each were given to Favour Osuagwu (Umunachi), Chiamaka Chukwuocha (Avutu) and Confidence Ucheanyanwu (Avutu).
Prizes were also given to pupils and students who got first to third positions while consolation prizes were given to all that participated in the exams conducted for primary and secondary schools.
The event began with an opening prayer by Mr. Ugochukwu Eneregbu who appreciated God for such a day and presented the sponsor to God for more blessings.
High Chief Obasi who represented the LGA chairman received the kolanut and handed it over to Mr. Udochukwu Anyanwu who blessed it.
Dr (Mrs.) Adaora Udo-Anyanwu (née Anusiem) read out an enchanting opening address, which traced the genesis of the Foundation and the processes of students’ scholarship, grants and awardee teachers’ barometer.
The opening address also appreciated the numerous personnel that participated in the selection process.
A follow-up address by Lady Christy Owo, the Obowo LGA Education Secretary, in which she thanked Dr. Anusiem (Sponsor) and Dr. Adaora (Co-ordinator), congratulated the awardees and admonished other teachers to strive towards excellence in order to be among those to be recognized in the next phase.
The Award Ceremony follows thus:
1. Best Principal (Senior) – Eze Phillip – Community Secondary School, Okwuohia (Geography/Social Studies)
2. Best Principal (Junior) – Amanze Anthonia – Umuariam Secondary School.
3. Best Teacher (SS3) – Ahawuike Magnus – Amanze Secondary School.
4. Best Teacher (SS2) – Uzodinma Benjamin – Okenalogho Secondary School. (English/Literature)
5. Best Teacher (SS1) – Okeke Emeka – Avutu Secondary School. (Maths)
6. Best Teacher (JS3) – Nwokorie Mary – Okenalogho Secondary School (Igbo)
7.Best Teacher (JS2) – Ezeala C.- Amanze Secondary School (English)
8. Best Teacher (JS1) – Okonkwo U.D – Amuzi Comprehensive Secondary School (Biology/Basic science)
9. Best Head Teacher – Chijioke Josephine – Umuariam Central School.
10. Best Teacher – Primary 6 – Onuoha Perpetua – Ehume Community School.
11. Best Teacher – Primary 5 – Nogwara Julita – Ikenanzizi Community School
12. Best Teacher – Primary 4 – Onuoha Ijeoma – Community School 1 Umuokeh.
13. Best Teacher – Basic III – Inyama Chidiebere – New Primary School Alike
14. Best Teacher – Basic II – Nwankwo Grace – Umuariam Primary School
15. Best Teacher – Basic I – Ogu Cecilia – Avutu Community School.
16. Best Teacher – Early Child Care III – Dirigbo Rosemary – Umuariam State School.
17. Best teacher – Early Child Care II – Okafor Dominica – Ekeala Primary School.
18. Best Teacher – Early Child Care I – Obasi Virginia – Okwohia Community School.
Each Awardee received a beautiful plaque and a brown envelope in appreciation of his/her dedication and excellence in duty.
In his own speech, Mr. Onyema Clifford Anusiem, representing the sponsor, congratulated the awardees and assured them that this year’s award would not be a flash in the pan but the beginning of bigger and better things to come.
Sir Uche Anusiem, representing the Sponsor’s family, traced the magnanimity and benevolence of Dr Tim to the fact that the Anusiem Family of Umuosi Avutu, Obowo, has produced many teachers and their continuous welfare is very important to it. He also promised that the next award event will be more encompassing.
High Chief Obasi wondered why parents are sending their wards to private schools when such wonderful teachers abound in public schools.
The Obowo Chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers, Mrs. Josephine Agbakwuru, admonished the awardees to put in more efforts but bemoaned the fact that retirement of teachers without replacement is hitting hard on the public school system, creating a situation where one teacher now handles more than one class. According to her, to try and tackle the dearth of teachers, individual schools are now bringing back retirees who are given tokens as remuneration. She prayed that God will replenish the pocket of the sponsor of the Education Foundation.
Mrs. Ezeala from Amanze Secondary School on behalf of the secondary school awardees complimented Dr Anusiem for this first-of-its-kind event in Obowo. She also heaped appreciation on Dr. Udo-Anyanwu, co-ordinator of the programme for a painstaking work done and promised that the teachers will do more in appreciation.
Reacting on behalf of the primary school awardees, Mrs. Josephine Chijioke, who is also the Head Teacher of Umuarian Central School, gave kudos to the sponsor and co-ordinator and confessed that when the news first came that such a program was being brewed, she and many others were skeptical as such news had always come to nought, but they were entranced when it finally came to fruition.
In his closing remarks, High Chief Obasi, gave special kudos to the co-ordinator’s husband Mr. Udochukwu Anyanwu for his understanding while his wife was traveling all over the LGA to ensure fairness and excellence in what has culminated in the first of its kind reward programme in Obowo. For this, he gave the special privilege of saying the closing prayer to Mr. Udochukwu Anyanwu, after which the dozens of teachers gathered, sang songs of praise to God and everyone departed joyfully.
