It was celebration galore in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, as leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Ekiti State chapter organized a colourful ceremony in honour of some secondary school teachers under the union who retired from active service.
The retired teachers were showered with cash and material gifts in recognition of their service to the state and contributions to the association.
Some personalities including the speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Steven Aribasoye, the Head of Service, Sunday Komolafe were also honoured with an award of excellence for their humanitarian services.
In addition, Oni Opemiposi Oluwatimileyin and Oladeji Goodluck who were winners of the essay and mathematics competition got cash gift of fifty thousand naira each.
In a remark, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Mr. Sola Adigun said the event was to acknowledge the contributions of the retired teachers to the education sector and to show them love.
He thanked God for how far the association has grown over the years particularly the level at which the Secretariat building had gotten to.
Mr Adigun appreciated the efforts of Governor Oyebanji in the education sector but affirmed that much more still needed to be done particularly the welfare of secondary School teachers.
The ASUSS chairman was of the opinion that teachers should rank among the highest paid in the country due to the importance of their profession.
Speaking at the programme, the Head of Service of Ekiti State Comrade Sunday Komolafe promised the readiness of government to pay outstanding benefits of workers as soon as resources of the state improves.
In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi commended the leadership of ASUSS for the various welfare packages for members of the union.
She affirmed that government was planning to introduce new innovations including electronic text books to enhance teaching and learning.