Esomnofu Ifechukwu of Crown Grace School, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, has emerged the winner of the 10th edition of the coveted Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition at the Grand Finale held in Lagos on October 11, 2024.
Esomnofu Ifechukwu, who was adjudged the 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year, received a cash prize of ₦10,000,000 (ten million naira). Additionally, he will be rewarded with an all-expense-paid capacity development training overseas and honoured with school infrastructure worth ₦30 million in his school.
Kehinde Olukayode from Molusi College, Oke-Sopen, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, won first runner-up position and received a cash prize of ₦3,000,000 (three million naira), while Aniefiok Udoh from Community Secondary Commercial School, Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State was second runner-up and went home with ₦2,000,000 (two million naira) cash prize. In addition, 34 other teachers who emerged State Champions from their respective states received ₦1,000,000 (one million naira) each.
In his keynote address, the Managing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Hans Essaadi, stated that the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition is designed to recognise and eulogise teachers for their labour of love and for their role in shaping the minds through various ways to become noble human beings.
Essaadi commended Nigerian teachers for their unwavering commitment and deep desire to make a difference in their student’s lives. He noted that teachers’ crucial roles in instilling values, knowledge, and skills in their students have been instrumental to societal growth.
“This year’s edition is special because it is the tenth. We have reached this milestone because every teacher, parent, and student believes in the power of education. So, it is indeed heartwarming that we are gathered here to celebrate the role of teachers as society’s foundation stone on which all professions stand tall.”
Also speaking, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sade Morgan, stated that this year’s edition was remarkable as it recorded an unprecedented number of valid entries and state champions in the competition’s history. According to Morgan, 1,300 valid entries were recorded from 1,477 entries received, while all 37 States (including the FCT) produced champions.
Describing the feat as a demonstration of the exceptional talents and dedication of Nigerian teachers, the quality of participants, and the popularity of competition among teachers in Nigeria, she said:
“These remarkable results are the crowning jewel of our decade-long journey, validating our tireless efforts and demonstrating the profound impact of the Maltina Teacher of the Year awards on Nigeria’s education landscape”.
She expressed deep appreciation to all esteemed stakeholders and partners, including TRCN, NUT, Union Bank Plc, Woodhall Capital Foundation, Alert Group, and Air Peace, for their immense support in making this edition memorable.
She equally lauded the esteemed panel of judges for their dedication and painstaking efforts, which have been instrumental in upholding the integrity and prestige of the competition.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Panel of Judges for the Competition, Professor Pat Utomi, noted that this year’s edition remains the most keenly contested since inception, adding that the quality of entries validates the versatility of our teachers and the rising standard of education in Nigeria.
In his response, the 2024 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Esomnofu Ifechukwu, praised the NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund for introducing the initiative to recognize and reward teachers for their contributions.
Ifechukwu said winning the competition was a dream come true, considering that he has been applying since 2020.
Since its inception, the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition has produced ten grand winners: Rose Nkemdilim Obi (2015), Imoh Essien (2016), Felix Ariguzo (2017), Olasunkanmi Opeifa (2018), Ezem Collins (2019), Oluwabunmi Anani (2020), Abanika Taiye (2021), Alaku Ayiwulu (2022), Adeola Adefemi (2023) and Esomnofu Ifechukwu (2024).
ABOUT MALTINA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
In 2015, Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund introduced the Maltina Teacher of the Year, a national competition to identify, honour, and reward outstanding teachers in Nigeria.
Maltina Teacher of the Year is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in education, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS) and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
ABOUT NIGERIAN BREWERIES-FELIX OHIWEREI EDUCATION TRUST FUND
The Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund was set up in 1994 with a startup capital of 100 million Naira to enable sustained quality education through structured intervention.
The Fund has footprints across the six geographical zones in Nigeria at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education. Through the Fund, NB Plc has constructed and furnished over 400 classrooms, sanitary facilities, and libraries in 74 communities nationwide. The Fund has also granted scholarships.
ABOUT NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC
Nigerian Breweries Plc, incorporated in 1946, is Nigeria’s pioneer and largest brewing company. With 23 malt and beer brands within its portfolio, it serves the Nigerian market and exports to other parts of West Africa. Nigerian Breweries Plc, driven by the corporate philosophy of “Winning with Nigeria”, has continued to take an increasingly active role in supporting education, among our other CSR focus areas.
