Follow Us on Google
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Strivad Foundation (STF) has rewarded outstanding and committed Nigerian Teachers both serving and retired in its continuous drive towrds motivating them in the promotion of reading culture in Imo State.
At its official presentation ceremony held at Government Secondary School Owerri, on Thursday, the Strivad Foundation , founded by Dr Uche Iro presented a cheque of N100,000 to each of the six qualified and deserving lucky winners of the 2022 Edition.
In his address at the 2022 edition, which was graced by excited teachers from public schools in Imo, professionals from the public sector, and stakeholders in the education sector, the Founder of Strivad Foundation, Dr Uche Iro explained that the annual TSF-Nze Raphael O. Iro memorial teachers merit award was instituted by TSF as part of the efforts geared towards encouraging and motivating dedication to service, excellence in service delivery and nation building through the teaching profession.
The founder who was represented by Dr Tobias Nwokocha, said, “In addition to honoring deserving Teachers, the event is equally aimed at immortalising the ever-green memory and legacy of our late sage, a renowned highly dedicated teacher and educationist per excellence Late Nze Sir Raphael Onyekwere Iro, who was the pioneer patron of THE STRIVAD FOUNDATION (TSF), and a man whom my seven siblings and I (Four sons and four daughters), are highly privileged to have as our father and role model.
Dr Uche Iro said, “Late Nze Sir Raphael Onyekwere Iro who by the special grace of God lived between the 24th of October 1932 and the 6th of November 2013 was a man born with teaching engraved in his DNA. He was a teacher who believed in effective goal setting and demonstrated an inherent capacity to communicate to his audience.
“Throughout his teaching career, he stood himself out as a role model as he demonstrated the values and behaviours he expected from his pupils.”
Also speaking, the Director of Program Development of the STRIVAD Foundation, Dr Tobias Nwokocha, said The six distinguished teachers being honored today were carefully selected by a competent set of men and women who took their time in studying all the many nominations received in the year 2022 when the award was instituted.
The director further said, “Nomination for Awardees for the year 2023 which shall be in turn presented in 2024 is open and the general public is requested to continue sending in nominations of dedicated and deserving Nigeria Teachers serving or retired from the public school System in Nigeria.
“TSF-NZE SIR RAPHAEL O. IRO MEMORIAL TEACHERS MERIT AWARD was instituted by the Foundation courtesy of the Founder/President HRtn. Amb. High Chief Dr Uche Iro JP, to
recognise, honor, and motivate deserving Nigerian Teachers in evergreen memory of the renowned teacher and educationist, late Nze Sir Raphael Onyekwere Iro, who was the Pioneer Patron of THE STRIVAD FOUNDATION and the father of the TSF Founder/ President.
“This intervention could not have come at a better time. It would amount to our contemporary society where teaching and teachers are socially relegated to the background. TSF-NZE SIR RAPHAEL O. IRO MEMORIAL TEACHERS MERIT AWARD is meant to promote excellence and to re-kindle the efforts of serving and retired teachers in the Nigerian public school System.”
