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Maltina-Teacher-of-the-Year

The race for the 2016 Maltina Teacher of the Year has sparked huge expectation and excitement as four female and six male teachers are in the final battle for who will be named the best teacher in Nigeria on October 20th, 2016.

The ten finalists, who emerged on September 29th, 2016 from the pool of state champions include: Omole Sylvester Folorunsho from United High School, Ilawe Ekiti State; Maureen Paulinus, an Agricultural Science teacher from Jewel Model School, Abuja; Patrick Ogor Lawrence from Government Day Secondary School, Adankolo, Lokoja, Kogi State; Onwukwe Ernest Onyebuchi from Alvana Model Demonstration Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State; and Agbu Cornelia Nnemdi from Nnosem Comprehensive School, Afikpo, Ebonyi State.

Others are Oyimba Cordelia Ebele, from Western Boys High School, Benin City, Edo State; Mohammed Binta Lawan, Federal Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State; Imoh Essien, from Special Education Center for Exceptional Children, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Isaac Pef, from Government Day Secondary School, Wukari, Taraba State; and Yusuf Kadala, from ECWA Academy, Demsa, Adamawa State.

The teachers are in the final phase of the screening ahead of the grand finale where the winner will be crowned in Lagos on October 20th.

Lawan, an English Language teacher was the First Runner-Up in the maiden edition last year.  She explained that her commitment to service and desire to make students productive are her main reasons for being part of the competition. She also expressed her gratitude to Nigerian Breweries Plc for being forerunners of a cause that seek to re-orient the nation towards the teaching profession.

Essien, a teacher of Computer, Basic Sciences and Physical Education revealed that he draws his inspiration for teaching from his fun loving personality through which he is able to be of immense help to children with special needs. He added that being a teacher who deals with specially challenged children can be a tough task if the teacher is not well equipped emotionally and mentally for the job. “Nigerian Breweries is doing well to recognize teachers who help shape the future of our societies,” he said.

Folorunsho, who started as an auxiliary teacher says that he is delighted and proud to have emerged as one of the finalists this year. According to him, “the teaching profession in Nigeria is bedeviled by so many uncertainties which can make or mar students through the teachers input. So I think Nigerian Breweries Plc is helping to bridge this gap by motivating, encouraging and celebrating the profession.”

Paulinus, an Agricultural Science teacher who said she entered the competition to encourage other teachers explained that teaching is “a call to serve, a call to plant and nurture seeds that will later germinate to make positive impact on the society.”

Lawrence, also an Agricultural Science teacher gave kudos to Nigerian Breweries Plc for trying to reorient teachers towards the value of their profession.

Onyebuchi, a Chemistry teacher says being one of the finalists inspired hope and confidence in him because it means people are mindful of the things he does that affect them one way or the other.

Nnemdi, another English Language teacher who was among the finalists last year believes she will do better this year. “I can do better now, so I decided to try again to take advantage of this opportunity Nigerian Breweries Plc is championing,” she said.

Ebele, a Cultural and Creative Arts teacher believes that her pedigree in teaching has earned her the recognition to be part of the finalists this year. She commended Nigerian Breweries Plc for the initiative.

Pef, another Agricultural Science teacher and Kadala, a Business Studies teacher opine that being a teacher is a privilege because it creates a platform to learn, as well as interact with your students which adds to your knowledge.

Like last year, the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2016 will get one million Naira instantly, plus one million Naira every year for the next five years. The package also includes a development training opportunity abroad and a block of classrooms to be built at the school where he/she teaches

The Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative with prizes worth N50 million annually, is done on the platform of the Nigerian Breweries/Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. The Trust Fund was established in 1994 to contribute to the development of the educational sector in the country.

Last year, a teacher from Anambra State, Mrs. Rose Nkemdilim Obi emerged winner at the maiden edition of the Maltina Teacher-of-the-Year.

BIG STORY

Warri Refinery: Oil Marketers Eye Loading Of Petrol February

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Oil marketers have started loading Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and Kerosene from the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company.

Dealers confirmed this on Friday, while also requesting Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from the recently rehabilitated plant.

WRPC, under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, resumed operations on December 30, 2024, after the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, announced its return to service during a tour of the facility.

Speaking with one of our correspondents at the refinery on Friday, the Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Harry Okenini, said that while the plant was operational, it was not yet functioning at full capacity.

He, however, pointed out that marketers had begun loading diesel and kerosene from the refinery.

“Right now, there is no production of petrol. So, we are not loading PMS. We hope to load PMS soon. We can confirm to you that the plant is working although not at 100 per cent. And IPMAN, Warri Depot Unit, is waiting for the production of PMS so that we can load.

“For now, only the Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, and Dual Purpose Kerosene are being produced and loaded out for consumption.

“Hopefully, by February, we are expecting cooking gas, PMS, and other products to come out. As of now, the retail unit is only loading AGO and DPK,” he added.

Also speaking with our correspondents at the refinery, the National Chairman of the Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers, a branch of NUPENG, Israel Omokere, confirmed that the refinery was operational.

He said, “Hopefully, the PMS will come on board. We are loading kerosene and AGO for now.”

On his part, the Delta State Chairman of Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers branch of NUPENG, Kingsley Erituoyo, said, “For so many years the refinery was down, today the refinery is up.”

Findings at the Warri refinery by our correspondents showed limited truck movements in and out of the complex.

According to The Punch, the activities at WRPC were minimal compared to the refinery’s peak years when it operated at full capacity.

Industry sources revealed that more steps were needed by the Federal Government and NNPCL for the refinery to begin full production of PMS.

During the visit to the WRPC complex, it was also observed that the main entrance appeared almost deserted, with security operatives stopping journalists from taking photographs on the premises.

Sources inside the refinery shared that only one of the three units at the refinery was operational and producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.

“For now, only one unit is working at the refinery. You know there are three units, but only one is in operation, producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.

“The unit can’t give fuel for now. If the second unit starts working, it can produce PMS. It is the last unit to operate because it’s very big and complicated.

“If all units are working, we can load over 100 trucks daily, now it loaded about 50 trucks,” a source said.

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BIG STORY

NDLEA Arrests Famous 61-Yr-Old Lagos Fabric Merchant Alhaja Ajoke Elediye For Drug Trafficking

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) began the new year by arresting a wanted drug kingpin and Lagos socialite, 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, on Wednesday, 1st January 2025, in her mansion at the Okota area of Lagos.

This followed the interception of a truckload of illicit drugs from her staff on the same day.

A statement released by the anti-drug agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, reveals that the suspect, known in the drug underworld as “Iya Ruka” and as Alhaja Ajoke in social circles, had her true identity concealed for years.

She had remained on the NDLEA’s wanted list for leading one of the drug cartels operating from the Mushin area of Lagos.

“The lid was, however, blown off her invincibility on Wednesday, 1st January 2025, when NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a white Izuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis, driven by one of her staff, 41-year-old Abideen Adio.

Subsequently, the operatives stormed her hideout at 33 Adebayo Oyewole Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, where they arrested her.”

Babafemi further stated that, on the surface, Alhaja Ajoke is a businesswoman who imports fabrics and shoes from China, but beneath that lies a vast illicit drug trade.

She is also recognized as the Iyalaje of Blessing Sisters, an influential club of society women in Lagos.

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BIG STORY

Lagos Ministry Demolishes Illegal Gatehouse After Attack On Workers [PHOTOS]

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The Lagos Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has commenced the demolition of an illegal gatehouse erected by the management of an estate on January 3, 2025.

The action follows repeated warnings from the ministry, which had earlier alerted the estate about the unlawful construction.

Sources revealed that the estate proceeded to build a soakaway system on the road immediately outside the entrance gate, despite several official warnings from the ministry.

This prompted the ministry’s task force to intervene on January 2, 2025, to dismantle the septic tank that was being constructed.

However, during the operation, workers from the ministry were reportedly attacked and locked up by the estate’s management.

In response to the harassment of its workers, the Lagos Ministry of Environment and Water Resources escalated its actions, directing the demolition of the illegal gatehouse on January 3, 2025.

The demolition is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to ensure that constructions adhere to legal and environmental standards.

Details later…

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