Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday commissioned an ultra-modern shopping plaza and food canteen built by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ekiti State Wing, and laid the foundation for the Union's proposed guest house in Ado-Ekiti.
Oyebanji said the projects reflected the union's visionary leadership and its commitment to members' welfare through prudent resource management.
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, at the well-attended inauguration, congratulated the union's leadership on the successful execution of the projects, which he said were aimed at strengthening its financial base.
He said the shopping plaza would generate sustainable revenue, create jobs, attract investment and contribute to the state's socio-economic development.
Oyebanji urged the union to sustain its cordial relationship with the state government while remaining committed to improving teachers' welfare and professional development.
He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to strengthening the education sector through collaboration with relevant stakeholders, adding that the projects would remain enduring symbols of purposeful leadership and collective achievement.
In a message delivered by the National Deputy President of the NUT, Elder Comrade Kizito A. Kalu, the National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, commended the Ekiti State leadership of the union for its achievements within a short period.
Amba described the shopping plaza, food canteen and proposed guest house as strategic investments that would boost the union's internally generated revenue and enhance members' welfare, and lauded the state government for its continued support for education and teachers' welfare.
He particularly appreciated the donation of a utility vehicle to the union, alongside the government's sustained investment in the education sector.
Earlier, the Ekiti State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Lawrence Egbeyemi, described the occasion as a milestone in the union's history, achieved through prudent resource management, accountability and members' collective commitment to building a stronger union.
He thanked Oyebanji for his unwavering support for education and teachers' welfare, as well as his administration's open-door policy.
Egbeyemi highlighted some of the welfare initiatives introduced during his tenure, including the revitalisation of the NUT Loans Board and the distribution of 100 subsidised motorcycles to teachers, particularly those serving in rural communities.
According to him, the motorcycles were provided under flexible repayment arrangements to improve teachers' mobility and productivity.
He said the shopping plaza and food canteen were established to generate sustainable income, create jobs and enhance members' welfare, adding that the proposed guest house would further strengthen the union's revenue base.
The union leader appreciated members of the State Executive Council, branch executives, union staff, development partners and the contractor, PROSFAT Integrated Co. Nigeria Ltd., for their contributions to the projects' successful execution.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi, commended Oyebanji for prioritising teachers' welfare and fulfilling his promises to the teaching profession.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ekiti State Council, Pharmacist Kolapo Olusola, commended the NUT for supporting the state government's education agenda and urged the union to sustain its partnership with government in the interest of quality education and workers' welfare.
The event was attended by government officials, labour leaders, education stakeholders, traditional rulers and NUT members from across the state.
-
.jpg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments