By Taofeek LAWAL, Abuja
The Comptroller General, Federal Fire Service (FFS), Dr Ibrahim Alhaji Liman, has called for comprehensive and proper training and retraining of teachers at all levels to achieve maximum standard and results in the education sector. The CG gave the advice at the 2nd edition of Merry Bell Academy Spelling Bee Competition named after him which held in Abuja over the weekend. He said Nigeria needs qualified and knowledgeable teachers to impart knowledge on students and pupils to prepare them for future challenges.
He said, “The teachers who are the bedrock of any educational society must be encouraged at all times. I am happy that the teachers are being made to attend seminars and workshops to upgrade and refresh their knowledge. A qualified teacher is not only an asset to the children but to the nation in general. Parents and guardians must assist the teachers to achieve job satisfaction because helping the teachers will definitely have direct impact on their children in school.”
Liman said he was sponsoring the competition to prepare the children for future leadership positions and for them to compete favourably with their counterparts from across the globe education wise.
“It is for us to do everything and anything possible to encourage the present generation to attain education success and have competent and God-fearing leaders in positions of authority tomorrow. We also need to encourage stakeholders in the education sector, the teachers, so that they can breed highly intelligent, committed and competent leaders for the future. If we get it right in the beginning with these children, we will not have problems in latter years as far as Nigeria is concerned,” he added.
The school director, Mrs Gloria Jeremiah Peter, said the objective of the competition is to improve spelling ability and increase the vocabulary of the children which is aimed to develop correct use of English Language, build the children’s self confidence and spirit of competition and ability to handle pressure.
The competition was held among primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools from Abuja. At the end of hostilities, Lucy Ozioma and Israel Tobi Haruna of Trinity International School and Merry Bell Academy respectively emerged winners in the primary and junior secondary categories while Ayomide Alowe of NAOWA College emerged winner in the senior secondary category.
The winners and the runners-up were presented with prizes and gifts for their efforts.
