It is crystal clear that no educational system can develop above its teachers and no nation can rise above its teachers. Little wonder, the United Nations considers the growth of teachers as a vital part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Generally, teachers are stirred and encouraged to do more when they discover that their extra and persevering efforts in introducing new classroom strategies are recognized by individuals, and organizations, and rewarded monetarily.
It was wonderful to see educators from Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria honoured at the Summer Fellowship for Innovative Teachers (SFIT) award ceremony for their innovation and creativity in the classroom. We collaborated with our partners, The Murdock-Thompson Center for Teachers (M-TC) in the United States of America(USA) to make the event an outstanding one for them.
It was held on the 3rd of September, 2022 at Nuhu Musa Hall, Community Staff Schools, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria.
Our partners, The Murdock-Thompson Center for Teachers and some of her Board Members in the USA connected via video conferencing to the event.
The President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba (Rep.), the Chief Educational Consultant of Cebar Learning Hub, International Consultant & Trainer Programme Leader for Cambridge Educational, Carol Barlow, the Consultant to the United Nations and the Managing Director of Paruto Groups, Jonathan Obise, were part of the Special Guests of Honor that were present at the occasion.
Educators, Directors, Administrators, Principals of various schools and teachers from private and public schools in Abuja where physically present for the programme. We also had some Ivorian Administrators and teachers who connected virtually.
Carol Barlow delivered the first lecture titled, “Innovation and Creativity: A Changing World for Teachers”. The second lecture titled, “The United Nations and Teachers” was delivered by Jonathan Obise. Both lectures stressed the importance of the teaching profession and proffered some pragmatic solutions that would help educators and teachers to be more efficient and effective in Africa.
The President of The M-TC, Mr William Lavin, connected virtually and gave his warm congratulatory speech. He congratulated the past and present winners of the Summer Fellowship for Innovative Teachers(SFIT) Award, and also appreciated the tireless effort of Intellectual Giants in Africa Foundation and her Staff to organize such an inspiring event.
The Executive Director of Intellectual Giants in Africa Foundation(INGAF), Mr Emmanuel Idiagi, later came on stage and started off by thanking the keynote speakers for their wonderful lectures. He explained the criteria by which the winners from various partnering schools were selected schools were selected.
As he announced the winners of the prize fund of 1000 USD in Nigeria and Ivory Coast, the smiles on the faces of the winners of the prize fund and their family members was a joy to behold!
The Summer Fellowship for Innovative Teachers (SFIT) Ceremony 2022 was indeed a memorable event. The Murdock-Thompson Center for teachers (M-TC) in collaboration with Intellectual Giants in Africa Foundation(INGAF) has resolved to continue to strengthen teachers innovation in Africa.
Watch out for the Summer Fellowship for Innovative Teachers (SFIT) Award 2023.