Contrary to the maxim that teachers’ rewards await them in heaven, Inoyo Toro Foundation, together with Savannah Energy, has again rewarded 22 teachers and three principals with academic excellence awards and cash prizes.

The presentation of awards and cash prizes was part of activities during the just concluded 2024 teaching excellence awards ceremony held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. The 2024 edition marked the 17th year of the annual event in the state.

Five of the teachers emerged Grand Mentors in five subjects, each going home with an excellence award plus cash prize of N500,000. First place winner of the Principal’s Award carted home N500,000; 2 other principals who emerged 2nd and 3rd; and 17 other teachers who won 1st, 2nd and 3rd in six subjects, were rewarded each with an excellence award and prize money.

While Michael Thompson Udofia of Northern Annang Secondary Commercial School, Utu Etim Ekpo, Bassey Udo Uwa of Etinan Institute, Etinan, and Nseobong Usoro Essien of Government Model Girl’s Secondary School, Ikot Ekang respectively emerged first, second and third in the Outstanding Principals category; Patience Blaise Umoh, Imo Benedict Eboh, Utibe Augustine Iwat, Dominic Raphael Udo and Ekpene Etiese Usanga respectively emerged 2024 Grand Mentor winners in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, respectively.

In the subject category, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners respectively were Ifiokobong Essien Eton, Ubong-obong Friday Archibong and Anietie Nsoyo Akai for English Language; Godswil Inyang Bradford, Uduak Charles Udoaka and Akanimo Johnson William for Mathematics; Favour Anietie Okon, Edidiong George Idioh and Samuel Edet Eteokon for Biology; and Solomon Effiong Asin, Felix Oku Effiong and Gabriel Friday Akpan for Physics. While Joshua Udo Udo, Sunday Effiong Mansong and Mark Peter Ekanem respectively emerged first, second and third in Chemistry; Akaninyene Udo Akpan and Ita Effiong Oyong respectively carted home the prizes for second and third place winners in Economics.

The teachers were excited and glowingly commended Inoyo Toro Foundation and Savannah Energy for rewarding their efforts and for sustaining the programme over the years. The teachers spoke on the selection process which they described as vigorous but transparent and solicited other entities to emulate the shining example, which serves to inspire teachers and improve the quality of education in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Awards Screening Committee, Prof. Enobong Joshua congratulated the winning teachers and thanked the various contributors, sponsors, mentors, teachers, the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education, for their roles.

The ceremony was highly attended by government functionaries, members of the academia, teachers, as well as officials of Savannah Energy and Inoyo Toro Foundation.

With addition of the latest 25 beneficiaries, the total number of Akwa Ibom teachers and principals so far rewarded with cash prizes in the last seventeen years becomes 324 teachers and 11 principals. In the last seventeen years, over 3,520 teachers have been trained, over 6,003 students have been mentored, over 50 university scholarships have been awarded, over 138 schools have been reached, in all Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom, at a total cost of about N700, 000,000.