By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has promised to recruit more teachers and appoint eligible teachers who have reached Director level as Permanent Secretaries in the next batch of appointments. “Promotion of teachers ends at the level of a Director, while the post of a Permanent Secretary is by appointment, and right now, we have some names who have applied and are undergoing scrutiny. In the next batch, the eligible ones among you will be appointed.”
He reiterated that the retirement age of 60 remains in place. However, teachers who wish to remain in service longer may do so by choice, provided they express their interest and are assessed on merit.
The governor made the remarks at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration, themed “Standing With Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting The Profession, Advancing Its Status And Shaping Our Futures,” held at the Anambra State Teachers’ House in Awka on October 5.
The governor praised teachers for their tireless efforts to educate and shape children, and thanked them for their strong support for his re-election.
“Teachers are the greatest force that drives society to greater heights. It is a noble profession which shows the light and must be the light. The future of Anambra is in your hands; ensure you go to school daily,” he said.
Governor Soludo said his administration had embarked on numerous development projects that, when completed, would transform the state’s image.
“The new aerotropolis, the new industrial city, the new markets and the new heartland of Igboland that will be the gateway to the Southeast, is in the making. Our grandchildren, great-grandchildren in fifty or a hundred years to come will see the new Anambra that we are laying the foundation for today,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Anambra State wing, Comrade Chika Grace Chukwudozie, welcomed the Governor and his entourage. She said the celebration commemorates the 1966 recommendations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the status of teachers, and aims to recognise teachers and assess issues related to teachers and ongoing programmes.
“Every year, Teachers are celebrated on October 5 to enlighten society on the enormous responsibilities and roles teachers play in shaping and re-shaping the learner, which culminates in a sustainable, reliable and egalitarian society. Today in Anambra State, the narrative is being re -written as Mr Governor has continued to demonstrate unreserved commitment in giving Education in the State its deserved status,” she said.
She thanked the Governor for the regular payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances; promotions; teacher training and retraining; extensive school renovations and the upgrading of some schools to smart schools; the introduction of free education through senior secondary school to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Anambra State; rehabilitation and equipping of technical schools; donations of learning materials to schools; provision of shuttle buses and speedboats for teachers, students and monitoring teams to improve teaching and learning; and support and learning materials for students with physical disabilities.
She appealed for the recruitment of more teachers; raising the teachers’ promotion ceiling to Salary Grade Level 17; appointing qualified teachers as permanent secretaries; and implementing the new retirement age for teachers.
Ifeyinwa Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
