HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION PROMISES BETTER DAYS FOR NIGERIAN TEACHERS

The chairman, House Committee on Education, Dr. Farouk M. Lawan has assured Nigerian teachers that the government of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is committed to putting in place structures that would enhance ‘Teacher Quality and the standard of life of the Nigerian teacher across the country.'

The Committee Chairman gave this assurance in Abuja over the weekend, when the committee, as part of its oversight function to Federal Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Education, paid a visit to the teachers' council. According to him, “Teachers are central to the development of any nation and as such, the present administration, with the support of the National Assembly is determined to put in place structures that would help to strategically position the Nigerian teachers as vehicle for the success of President Yar'Adua's seven point agenda.

Dr. Farouk Lawan said his Committee has continued to champion the course of TRCN's land dispute and assured that the land issue is still on-going. In his words, “The TRCN's land issue is still on-going, we should exercise patience. TRCN will get its land back. We in this committee still believe that it is not proper for land meant for public organization to be revoked and resold to private individuals.”

He further noted that his committee has remained in close contact with the Hon. Minister of Federal Capital Territory , Senator Adamu Aliero, who was the immediate former Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Education over the TRCN's land issue. His words, “We have continued and we will continue to request that TRCN's land be restored as soon as possible.” He however noted that the worst that can happen is for the Federal Capital Territory authority to re-allocate fresh plots to TRCN in a strategic location as the one revoked.

The Registrar/Chief Executive of TRCN, Professor Addison Mark Wokocha, who was ably represented by the Director, Admin and Supplies, Dr. Godwin A. Ogwuche, in his welcome address, thanked the House Committee on Education members for their support to the teachers' council in the past years. In particular, he noted the Committee's support which translated to the council's capital appropriation for 2009, which had been judiciously utilized. He also stated that it was the support of the various committees in the National Assembly that has sustained the nation's education sector thus far. TRCN on its part will not renege on its responsibilities to the Nigerian teachers, he concluded.

Ojewuyi Muyiwa
Senior Information Officer