Gafar Alabi 

No fewer than 120 newly appointed Headteachers in Public Primary Schools across Ogun State have been inducted into their new positions.

The induction ceremony and A-day seminar, which took place  at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta, brought together education stakeholders, school administrators and the newly appointed Headteachers.

In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, charged the new school leaders to uphold professionalism and contribute meaningfully to the development of basic education in the State.

Also, in his remarks, Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evang. Olalekan Ifede, disclosed that the Board introduced a screening and oral interview process for the appointment of the Headteachers.

According to him, the process was designed to ensure that those entrusted with school leadership possess the required qualifications, experience, competence, communication skills and leadership capacity to deliver effectively.

Ifede, urged the inductees not to allow challenges to become excuses for poor performance, stressing the need for commitment and result-oriented leadership.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, congratulated the inductees on attaining what he described as a peak in their careers. He urged them to be strategic in their dealings, noting that they occupy a critical position as the foundation of basic education in the State.

Contributing, Permanent Member IV of SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Akeem Balogun, congratulated the new headteachers and charged them to remain committed, diligent, proactive and effective in their respective schools.

In his welcome address, the Director, Administration and Supplies, SUBEB, Mr. Femi Fatade, said the milestone demonstrated the Board's commitment to merit, professionalism, transparency and effective leadership in Public Primary Schools, noting that the emergence of the inductees as successful candidates was not merely an elevation in status but a recognition of their competence and a call to greater responsibility.

Lending their voices, the Headteacher-General, Ijebu Zone, Mr. Benjamin Alonge and the Chairman, Confederation of Education Secretaries, Mr. Alli Muhammad, commended the synergy and commitment among the Ministry of Education, SUBEB and TESCOM, describing it as instrumental to the progress recorded in the state's education sector.

In his goodwill message, the State Chairman of the NUT, Ogun State Wing, Comrade Sewakanu Noah, described the attainment of headship as a significant milestone, while reminding the inductees that the position comes with greater responsibilities. He urged them to remain loyal and accountable and to uphold the rules and policies of the Board at all times.

The State Chairman of the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Comrade Tajudeen Adeosun and his counterpart from the Association of Primary School Teachers of Nigeria (APSTON), Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Salisu Oluwaseun, urged the new headteachers to build teachers' confidence, competence and capacity to perform optimally.

They stressed the importance of ensuring that learners under their care were equipped with the ability to read, write, communicate and express themselves clearly.

Delivering a lecture titled “Raising the Standard: Improving the Quality of Basic Education Service Delivery,” the retired SUBEB Secretary, Mr. Olubori Akinleye advised the headteachers to understand their key responsibilities as school managers and improve both leadership and learning outcomes. He emphasised that basic education remains the foundation for developing literacy and numeracy skills among learners.

Speaking on behalf of the inductees, Mr. Hassan Saheed from Ikenne and Mrs. Rebecca Ayeni from Yewa North Local Governments expressed appreciation to the State government for finding them worthy of the appointment and pledged to discharge their responsibilities diligently.