PROFESSOR ALIZOR CANVASSES FOR BETTER WELFARE FOR TEACHERS, EULOGISES OTOLOKPO MONARCH
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Alizor Signal Hills Limited, Agbor, Professor John Alizor has called on governments at all levels in Nigeria to prioritise the welfare of teachers in Nigeria. The America-trained professor of educational leadership made the call as he fielded questions from journalists at his country home in Otolokpo, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta state where he attended the new yam festival celebration held at the palace of the Obi of Otolokpo, HRM, Obi Collins Ezenwoali II recently. The festival coincided with the World Teachers’ Day which was marked internationally on Saturday, 5th October, 2024.
Alizor, an indigene of Otolokpo recalled his childhood days in the agrarian town where he had his primary education before traveling to the United States of America in pursuit of higher education and greener pastures. According to him; “at that time, the teaching profession was very attractive because of the respect teachers enjoyed among members of the society. They were well paid. And in turn, they took very good care of their pupils and students academically and morally. With my primary school certificate, I could read newspapers and magazines. In fact, it was in the course of my reading a magazine in a library that I met a pen pal who later invited me to America. She offered to see me through education beyond elementary school.”
Professor John Alizor retired as a professor in the US about seven years ago and relocated to Agbor, Delta state where he has been very committed to philanthropy and community services aside from his professional engagements as a leadership consultant. Having taught at all levels of education (primary, secondary and tertiary), he described himself as a man who has seen it all as a teacher.
On the differences between American education system and that of Nigeria, the Otolokpo-born pensioner stated that while the US offers heavily subsidized and free education, Nigeria is yet to do same, thereby maintaining a large population of illiterates in the society.
Going forward, the education consultant is of the view that the federal and state governments should set up education trust fund akin to TETFUND (tertiary education trust fund) to cater for pupils’ and students’ books and other important needs. “Beyond these, the young ones must be encouraged to improve on their reading habits”, he asserted.
Speaking on the new yam festival, Professor Alizor lauded the Otolokpo monarch for maintaining the culture of the people as handed to him by his forebears. He stated that one of the fastest ways of making a language go into extinction is the neglect of the people’s culture which is often deeply rooted in their language.
The Obi, on the occasion praised the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for their choice of chairmanship candidates for Ika south and Ika North East. He noted that the duo has been working assiduously towards a more united Ika nation and thanked them for honouring his invitation.
SEE ALSO: NOBODY BELIEVED THAT I COULD MAKE IT TO AMERICA —-Prof John O. Alizor
The king further prayed for all the sons and daughters of the clan who made out time to grace the occasion. He admonished them to always inculcate the right moral values on their children in order to maintain the love and unity that binds the people together. He noted that without peace, ther cannot be development in any area.
Notable dignitaries that graced the occasion included the Obi of Umunede, Obi of Ute-Ogbeje, Dr. Nwokolobia, Permanent Secretary, Delta state Deputy Governor’s office, Hon Anthony Elekeokuri, Chief Paul Osemene, Comrade Monday Iyke Ojoma, and Hon. Kenneth Morka among several others.
The high point of the occasion was the crowning of Madam Katerine Idion as the new Omu of the Kingdom. The monarch urged her to collaborate with other traditionalists and join hands in the fight against insecurity in the land, using traditional methods of old.