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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide sends a goodwill message to all teachers both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

This message is very compelling especially when we reflect on the roles that teachers played in the history of the Igbo in Nigeria.

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It is a common knowledge that the British penetrated most of the Igbo communities between 1900 t0 1920; but with the help of the committed teachers, the Igbo ascendancy in almost all the sectors of human endeavor was phenomenal.

I recall with nostalgia the consummate devotion of the pre-independence teachers towards community development programmes which earned them the sobriquet of Odozi-Obodo (Redeemers).

The teachers were the moral authority and indeed the pathfinders of the various rural communities. The teachers of the yore exuded discipline, knowledge, etiquette, uprightness and hard work.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo observes, rightly that the teachers are at the foundation of every profession. In other words, there is hardly any profession that does not benefit from the sweat of teachers. But, most unfortunately, the welfare of Nigerian teachers are often taken for granted.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo laments the poor conditions of teachers in Nigeria. There is no gainsaying that the building of a modern society begins with the empowerment of teachers, quality teaching and conducive learning environment.

Based on the foregoing, Ohanaeze aligns itself with the 2022 Act of the National Assembly that prescribes 65 years as the retirement age for teachers in Nigeria. We urge the states in the federation that have not keyed into this condition of service for teachers in Nigeria to consider it a priority.

Finally, we urge the Nigerian teachers not to weary in the pursuits of the ideals; teaching remains a noble profession irrespective of the current vicissitudes. It is our hope that they will surely reap the fruits of their labour.

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Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR; OFR; CFR; FNICE, FNSE, KSC (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo), President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.