Abeokuta – Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved the permanent appointment of more than 300 teachers who successfully completed their two-year internship under the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (OgunTEACh), as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s basic education sector.

The symbolic presentation of appointment letters was held at the premises of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Abeokuta, where the Executive Chairman of the Board, Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, described the exercise as another milestone in the administration’s commitment to improving education and creating employment opportunities for qualified teachers.

Speaking at the event, Ifede expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for fulfilling the promise of offering permanent employment to successful OgunTEACh participants after completing their internship programme.

According to him, the latest batch joins several other OgunTEACh beneficiaries who had previously been absorbed into the state’s teaching workforce, underscoring the governor’s dedication to rewarding competence, diligence and commitment.

He commended the newly appointed teachers for their resilience, hard work and professionalism throughout the two-year internship period, noting that their performance justified the government’s decision to offer them permanent appointments.

The SUBEB chairman urged the teachers to see their appointments as a call to greater responsibility, professionalism and service, stressing the need for innovation and commitment to excellence in their new roles.

“The next phase of your career requires greater dedication and a determination to leave your schools better than you met them. You must focus on delivering quality education and ensuring that every learner acquires strong literacy and communication skills,” he said.

Also speaking, Permanent Member IV of SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Akeem Balogun, praised Governor Abiodun for sustaining the OgunTEACh initiative, which he said has created employment opportunities for over 5,000 teachers across the state.

Balogun commended the governor for keeping faith with the beneficiaries by granting permanent employment to successful interns and also lauded the leadership of the SUBEB chairman for the progress recorded by the board.

Earlier, the Director of Administration and Supplies as well as Coordinating Director of SUBEB, Mr. Femi Fatade, congratulated the beneficiaries and advised them to remain focused, hardworking and committed to continuous professional development.

He encouraged teachers holding the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) to pursue higher qualifications and obtain degree certificates, while also urging them to register with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Michael Oladipo from Odeda Local Government and Miss Oluwakemi Odejimi from Yewa South Local Government expressed appreciation to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Ogun State Government for the opportunity to serve.

They pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them by contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of basic education across Ogun State.

The OgunTEACh programme was introduced by the Ogun State Government to bridge manpower gaps in public schools while providing teaching experience and employment opportunities for qualified graduates across the state.