Soludo Pledges To Recruit More Teachers As Anambra Schools, Educators Receive Federal Awards

By Uzo Ugwunze

The 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Anambra State was a landmark event, with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, expressing his immense pride in the state’s teachers for their outstanding performance nationwide.

Held at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the event drew attendees from public, private, and mission schools, including primary and secondary school teachers, members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), parent-teacher associations, and high-ranking government officials, along with other stakeholders in education.

Themed “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,” the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration provided an opportunity to recognise the significant contributions of Anambra teachers. The teachers also used the occasion to endorse Governor Soludo for a second term in office.

Addressing the assembled educators, Governor Soludo emphasised the importance of teachers, asserting that they are not merely great, but the “greatest,” as they train professionals in every field. He stressed that quality education is impossible without quality teachers.

Reaffirming his commitment to improving the learning environment for Anambra’s children, particularly in the public school sector, Professor Soludo stated that his administration will recruit more teachers to address the rising school enrollment. He attributed this surge to the significant improvements in Anambra State Schools, which he said have resulted in the state having the lowest rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria at 2.9%.

Highlighting the recent achievements of Anambra State Schools at the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards in Abuja, where Woliwo Primary School II was recognised as the best public primary school in Nigeria, among other accolades, the Governor congratulated the award recipients. He promised substantial rewards for the winners in the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 categories.

Earlier, the event’s chairman, DDrChidi Akim, in his opening remarks, lauded teachers for their indispensable role in society. He thanked the Governor for his unwavering support for education, highlighting his background as a teacher and noting that teachers can aspire to any level in life.

The Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, affirmed that Governor Soludo has fulfilled his promises to the people of Anambra State and exceeded expectations by leading the way. She also stated that the teachers have unanimously endorsed the Governor for a second term.

Hon. Anayo Okpaleke, Chairman of the House Committee on Education, and Professor Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), commended the Governor for transforming the education landscape in Anambra State. They particularly acknowledged the prompt and regular payment of pensions and gratuities to retired teachers.

Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, Executive Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Awka, recounted Governor Soludo’s achievements, notably the recruitment of 8,115 teachers. She pointed to the implementation of comprehensive, free education, which has led to an increase in primary school enrollment from 224,000 in 2022 to 274,000 in 2025. She added that the payment of the UBEC matching grant has enabled the renovation of numerous schools and the provision of 22 smart schools across the 21 local government areas in the state, creating a better learning environment that has contributed to the outstanding performance of teachers and students.

Speaker after speaker, including the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus, represented by Mr. Evans Asogwa; the NUT State Chairman, Comrade Chika Chukwudozie; the ANCOPPS Chairman, Mrs. Bibiana Onwuka; and the representative of the Anambra State Private School Owners Association, Hon. Chinyere Mbakwe, among others, praised Governor Soludo for his empowering initiatives in education, pledging their full support in the upcoming November 8 gubernatorial election.

Reacting to the Governor’s support, Mrs. Francisca Emenike, Desk Officer for the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards, and the award winners, including Mrs. Francisca Odumegwu, Headmistress of Woliwo Primary School II, Onitsha, and Mrs. Royaline Ikebuaso, Proprietor of Pinkberry International School, Obosi, expressed their gratitude and thanked Governor Soludo for fostering an enabling environment for success.

The event featured a presentation by students from Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, the presentation of tokens of support and an award to the Governor, rewards for the award winners in various categories, and solidarity songs led by Anambra Digital Teachers for Soludo (ADTS), among other activities.