Oyo Nut Will Continue To Protect The Interest Of Teachers - Shittu Gbeko
The newly elected Chairman, Nigeria Union of teachers Oyo State wing comrade Shittu-Gbeko Adekunle Fatai have pledged to members of the union to continue to protect the interest of teachers in the pace setter state.
Responding to questions from newshunt, NUT Oyo State number one teacher spoke on the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland further bringing to a reality the mission statement of the union. excerpt:
Q: In summary, your profile Sir?
A: I was born a couple of decades ago in Iseyin. I attended Nawarudeen Primary School in Iseyin, obtained my secondary school certificate at the Iseyin District Grammar School, Iseyin after which I attended teachers training college for my grade II certificate.
I obtained my B.sc Certificate at the Ado Ekiti University and obtained a masters degree at the University of Ibadan.
Talking about working experiences, I joined the State Universal Basic Education Board of Oyo State and got my posting to district School after which I served as a teacher in several schools in the state.
Currently I serve as an assistant head teacher in Christ Apostolic Church Basic School, Oluwole Iseyin.
Q: The mission statement of the NUT is to continue to protect the interest of teachers and also improve their welfare. How do you intend to make this a reality?
A: God on our own side, that is the essence of the NUT as a union to protect the interest of teachers in the state and we are more than ready for this. God has been helping us on this.
The teaching profession is the only profession where we have members across the country and we work in remote areas of the country spread across the length and breadth of the country. We are conversant with this fact and that is why we are always on our toes to make sure that everything will be done to protect the interest of teachers.
We believe God will continue to help us.
Q: How are you prepared to build on the positive legacies of your predecessors in office?
A: This is a formal organisation and just like I said earlier, we have aims and objectives entrenched in our constitution and I will continue to build on the positive legacies of the founding fathers of the union because the constitution of our union has clearly developed to emphasise the need for continuity in administration.
I will build on the achievements of my predecessors in office to ensure that the union continue to wax stronger.
Q: A new Olubadan will be crowned, how do you feel with this development?
A: Senator Balogun has been a father to us in the education sector. More importantly, he is a PHD holder, well read and well connected.
He is the father of all in Ibadan and we see his coronation as a round peg in the round hole because he has what it takes to provide quality leadership in the traditional institution of Ibadan.
His reign will bring peace to Ibadan and its environment.
Q: Youths of 14, 16 are over ambitious, preparing to compete with Dangote and Otedola by engaging in ritual killings, what is the way out of this challenge?
A: The first thing we need to look at is what causes the issue on ground and what are the challenges that make our youth to be over ambitious, these are issues that are fundamental.
The first thing to note is the society has lost its value, nobody cares about value again in the society. You will see a child of 17years riding a lexus jeep and people don't raise questions as to what is the source of his wealth. The next thing you see is that he will be invited for chieftaincy titles; so in society, we have lost our sense of value and not until that value is restored, we may not be able to curb the excesses of our youth being over ambitious.
I think generally we have lost societal values and we need to urgently bring back our societal values, appreciate and encourage hard working people so that people will be committed to their legitimate jobs.
We should celebrate hard working people and not those that get rich overnight.
Q: What is your message to the new Olubadan?
A: Just like I have rightly said that Olubadan is not just a father but a good father to us. Our message to him is that as he ascends the throne of his forefathers in Ibadanland, Ibadan will continue to witness peace and progress.
We prayed that his reign will continue to witness unprecedented growth not only in Ibadan but in the whole of Oyo State.
