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… This is Advance Reward of Teachers on earth while the balance will be collected in Heaven – Colleague
By Mike Udo
Primary School Head Teachers in Itu Local Government Area who retired between 2020 and 2021 had a cause to thank God on Friday, May 13, 2022 as they were treated to a grand send-forth party by the branch Association of Primary School Heads of Nigeria (AOPSHON).
The event which also featured the induction of new members into the association had in attendance the current Education Secretary serving 
in the Itu Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Mr. Denis Okon, who doubled as the chairman on the occasion; the immediate past Education Secretary, Mr Okon Offiong Umoh; the Itu Branch NUT Chairperson, Comrade Nkese Asuquo and the SBMC Desk Officer in the LGEA, Mr. Ekpenyong Ekpenyong. Others are Branch Itu AOPSHON Chairman, Comrade Sunday Udoh as well as exco and members of the Branch.
In his welcome address, Comrade Sunday Udoh advised the retirees to be careful amongst those they were going back to live with and avoid seeking any position in the community. He charged them to maintain good and healthy lifestyle in order to live long and enjoy their retirement.
In their Goodwill messages, dignitaries separately noted that to serve the Government for 35 years with hitch free, carry out various responsibilities and retire in good health was a special grace of God. They advised the retirees to take good care of themselves and show the light wherever they would go and wished them well in whatever responsibility they find themselves. The act of celebrating excellence in teachers was viewed by some professionals as “part of the advance of the reward teachers have to receive on earth while the balance will be collected in Heaven by those who will be lucky to get there”.
Responding on behalf of other retirees, Mr. Francis Anthony Akpan thanked God for seeing them through their service years and AOPSHON for giving them such honour. High point of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates and gifts to the retirees as well as offering prayers to God for their protection.
