The promoters of the “Teachers Naija” reality show and stakeholders have called for more support and sponsorship to sustain the show aimed at promoting professionalism in the nation’s teaching profession.
They made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos to announce the third edition of the show.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reality show is focused on celebrating Nigerian teachers in view of their huge contributions to nation building.
The convener of the show, Mr Enuagwuna Ubaka, in his call for support said the show was a way of giving back to teachers for their service to humanity.
“The Teachers Naija Reality TV show has come to change that narrative. And the show is here to tell the general public that the teachers deserve an award even on earth.
“We thank all our partners who have been with us from the inception and we use this opportunity to call on potential partners and organisations to support this noble initiative.
“The show has the capacity of benefiting our children who are the future of this great country.
“We are saying that if any show deserves to be on television, it is the Teachers Naija Reality TV show.
“From our capabilities, we are trying to publicise the show through press conferences, through social media and through TV and newspapers.
“ However the extent of our publicity also is determined by the extent of finance that people donate.
“So, that is why we are also calling sponsors to come on board. The past two seasons were bankrolled by individuals which ought not to be so,” Ubaka said.
He said that the overall winner of the show would go away with the grand prize of N10million, the first runner up would have N7million while the second runner up gets N5 million.
Ubaka said that the season 3 of the show would hold from Sept. 24 to Oct. 23, 2022.
On her part, Mrs Adaobi Ekwuno, a representative from the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), called for enhanced support for the benefit of the future generation.
“Teachers are great, they are nation builders and destiny moulders.
“The teaching profession has been relegated to the background so much so that we think it is a dumping ground for people who cannot find jobs.
“The TRCN has taken it upon itself to sanitise the sector and to elevate it and give it a status as a professional body.
“We appreciate the organisers of the show because they are taking an active participation in the education sector.
“Programmes like this should be promoted and encouraged so that our children can look forward to becoming teachers in the future,” Ekwuno said.
Speaking on the importance of the show to the education sector, Mrs Susan Akporaiye, the National President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), urged Nigerians to support the show.
“If there is a show that is worth be aired , it is the Teacher Naija Reality TV show. It is very easy for people to support and sponsor bad things.
“I am surprised at how people give money to meaningless, immoral things on TV that make us forget our African heritage and lose our identity so fast.
“This is the reality show to celebrate teachers it is beyond reward and they are worth celebrating.
“So, we are calling out to everyone that this is an investment worth every penny because it is an investment in the life of educators.
“These teachers are in charge of your children, they are the ones that will make our children better people in society.
“The teaching profession is beyond Mathematics and English. It is a total package, bearing in mind that the teaching goes beyond subjects; it is life coaching that these teachers do in the life of the children,” Akporaiye said.
Also, Babaseun Faseru, actor and Host of the Teachers Naija Reality TV show, said the show would have a generational influence to the country at large.
“The Teachers Naija Reality TV show is making some teachers joyful forever. There is no salary or compensation you give to these teachers that is worth what the show will do for them.
“Millions of Naira go into the planning for the show every year. Let us channel our wealth to something that will be generational.
“And I think that is where we should go, this is what Nigeria needs. Education is the light of every society, If you take education away, then you are going to see darkness,” Faseru said.
(NAN)
