Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) and the Association for Formidable Education (AFED), have awarded a grant of N200,000 each to 12 exceptional teachers from underserved communities across Nigeria.
They include: Adetomiwa Awofeso, a teacher at Whanyinna Children Foundation School, Makoko Lagos; Cornelia Udoh of Faithword Embassy Academy, Rivers State; Abigail Ekot, of Moslem Primary School, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State; Blessing Titiloye of Omole Senior Grammar School, Lagos; Faith Arigbe, teaches at Jesnefer School, Delta State; and Dorathy Stephen who works with Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation, Bauchi State.
Others are: Lucius Suku of UBE Primary School, Kaduna State; Temitope Olaoluwa Emosu, an educator at the Emeritus Prof T.O. Ogunlesi Model Secondary School, Ogun State; Christy Annger of Kent Academy Miango, Plateau State; Deborah Daniel, a teacher at IFAN School, Nassarawa State, among others.
Speaking during a virtual award ceremony, the Operations Manager for GET, Michael Adoghe, commended the teachers for their grit and determination in the face of challenges.
"We were quite pleased at the application turnout and it speaks to the dedication of Nigerian teachers. Despite the challenges, we received over 500 applications from six geo-political zones and each teacher had a wonderful story to share."
"We are honoured to be able to provide support to 12 teachers and are hopeful that this helps alleviate their struggles and enable them to perform more effectively."
He recalled that applications opened earlier in February 2024, calling teachers and educators across the country to present a case for grant funding, adding that GETAP sought to bring awareness to the plight of Nigerian teachers and also provide financial aid to facilitate better learning for the students.
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"With over 500 applications across the six geo-political zones, applications closed in March. After a thorough review process by an internal panel of judges, 60 teachers were selected.
"The 60 shortlisted teachers then proceeded to the second stage of interviews which featured a detailed application form and social media videos detailing why they should be selected for the funding," the operations manager said.
National President of AFED, Mr. Orji Kanu explained that the association's goal has always been to ensure that underserved communities get access to valuable resources.
"When the opportunity came to work with GET, we were excited that it aligned with our mission and goal."
Nnaemaka Nwachukwu; a GET Board of Trustee member stated, "everyone has been impacted in their lives by teachers. A big contributor to our professional success are dedicated teachers who have shown us the true meaning of resilience and excellence and supporting teachers in this way has been an absolute pleasure."
