Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
…With emphasis on 21st century teaching skills
By Inemesit Amos
A One-day empowerment workshop for teachers in Akwa Ibom State has been rounded off with a call for federal, state and local governments to redouble their efforts in ensuring that teachers are properly equipped to meet up in the 21st century teaching challenge.
The one-day programme christened, “Teachers: The Game Changers”, which took place in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital was sponsored by Morichcare Educational Services, had resource persons drawn from relevant sectors of the economy including the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among others.
Speaking to Century Newsfront, the convener of the workshop, Modesayo Morenike Okeniyi said that there is a dearth of modern teaching techniques in Africa generally including Nigeria, added that if the three tiers of government redouble their efforts and take education seriously by providing basic ICT equipment to schools and providing them with relevance teaching aids, the Nigerian child will compete favourably with children in the western world.
Okeniyi further noted that the main essence of the workshop was to “empower teachers with the 21st century skills needed to train the 
children of this generation”. The workshop, according to the organisers had participants from both public and private schools in the three senatorial districts of the state. She expressed the hope that teachers will adopt skills learnt in their day-to-day teaching experience as schools resume in August.
In their separate reaction after the programme, some of the participants had this to say: “Educational journey of excellence, inspiring day of learning and connection. There were theoretical and practical lessons on ways of becoming a teacher with a difference… On the whole, it was an opportunity to connect with teachers. Thank you to the convener of this conference, Modesayo Morenike Okeniyi and to the speakers for sharing valuable insights”, Grace Umoren. “The Teachers connect was fun-filled impactful and mind-blowing. A shout-out to the organizer of this program, Modesayo and other speakers in the likes of Dr. David Ogunshola, I salute you, sir. To my amiable boss, Dr. Elizabeth Ogunshola, thank you ma’am for always being supportive and your constant reminder about having a positive mindset and growing beyond the level we are. God bless you ma’am”, Vicky Akpan
Major resource persons at the workshop include among others, David Obianyor, David Ogunshola and Nancy Ekpezu spoke on “How Teachers can develop themselves to become valuable in the marketplace and attract high income for themselves while acting as the game changers”; “How teachers can play a pivotal role in changing the narrative of education in Africa” and “How to be a game-changing teacher in any school and earn high”.
Special awards and recognitions were presented to three outstanding teachers from each of the senatorial districts of the state, they are Joshua John Nyong, (QIC primary School, Ebighi, Anwa Oro), Eket Senatorial District; Akaninyene Malachy Akpan, (The church of Jesus Christ Comprehensive Secondary school, Atao Otoro), Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and Peace Monday Williams (Deeper Life High School, Uyo Campus) for Uyo Senatorial District.
