I was raised by teachers.
My father worked with the Ondo State Teaching Service and retired as a Principal of a secondary school. My mother taught Home Economics in a secondary school for 35 years before retiring as Vice Principal of the prestigious Ondo Boys High School.
So, for me, teaching was not just a profession. It was the life I grew up watching, experiencing and, in many ways, learning from.
I remember those early morning school runs. We had to wake up at 5 a.m.—bath, brush our teeth, grab breakfast and jump into Dad’s old Nissan. Then came the long drive through potholes and muddy roads, as he made his way to school.
I also have fond memories of the visits of education inspectors. The preparation for their arrival could change the atmosphere at home. I remember the late-night discussions and strategies against those dreaded queries. It was a reminder of how seriously my parents took their responsibilities as educators.
Looking back now, I realise that teaching demanded far more than standing in front of a classroom. It demanded sacrifice, patience, discipline, preparation and an unwavering commitment to the future of other people’s children.
My parents gave decades of their lives to the education of young Nigerians. And they were not alone. Across Nigeria, thousands of teachers leave their homes every morning, often under difficult conditions, to shape minds, build character and prepare the next generation.
Some teach in well-equipped classrooms. Others work with inadequate facilities and limited resources. Yet, they continue to show up.
Today, on Nigerian Teachers’ Day, I celebrate my parents and every teacher who has dedicated a part of their life to educating others.
To the teacher who stayed late to prepare a lesson. To the teacher who bought instructional materials with personal money.
To the teacher who patiently explained a difficult concept for the umpteenth time.
To the teacher who saw potential in a child before anyone else did.
Thank you.
I was raised by teachers, and I am proud of the values their profession instilled in me.
Happy Nigerian Teachers’ Day to all our teachers. You may teach in classrooms, but your lessons often live far beyond them.
