Enugu teachers back Mbah and Tinubu for better education and welfare

Thousands of teachers in Enugu State, from both public and private schools, have thrown their support behind Governor Peter Mbah for a second term. They praised him for improving teachers' welfare, increasing education funding, and making promotions easier.

The teachers also expressed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Mbah said Tinubu's economic reforms have helped states access more funds for big projects. This includes the construction of over 267 Smart Green Schools in all 260 political wards of Enugu State.

Around 12,000 teachers marched through Enugu metropolis before gathering at Okpara Square for an endorsement rally on Saturday. This event was organized by the Teachers for Grassroots Movement (TGM), according to a statement from the Government House.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Enugu State, Theophilus Odo, praised Mbah as a leader sent by God. He listed the steps Mbah has taken to fix the education issues in the state.

"On behalf of the NUT, I want to say that we are happy today because God has given us a caring governor, Peter Mbah.

"He played a key role in the harmonisation of retirement benefits for teachers even before he became governor.

"The building of over 260 Smart Green Schools is a very positive change. Our teachers and children can now compete well with their peers in other places.

"He has started recruiting thousands of teachers and is also training them through symposiums and other programs to gain more knowledge.

"There are no outstanding promotions, and our salaries are paid on time.

"So, we teachers are endorsing our governor for a second term. The votes of our teachers are only for Governor Mbah," Odo said.

Nelson Agu, the Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Enugu State, said private school teachers joined this rally for the first time to support what he called Mbah’s revolution in education.

He noted that the Smart Green Schools have pushed private schools to improve.

"When you started the idea of over 260 Smart Green Schools, we thought we were out of business. But we upgraded our schools to meet the new standards.

"Importantly, allocating 33 per cent of the budget to education for three straight years is something your administration deserves praise for," Agu told Mbah.

Simeon Akaeme, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Enugu State, said Mbah’s government has restored the dignity of teachers. He mentioned the big investments in infrastructure and social services.

Dr Nwakaego Aja, Director-General of the Teachers for Grassroots Movement, described education as key to freedom, self-reliance, and economic growth, especially in tough times.

Aja assured Mbah of the full support of over 30,000 teachers in the state.

"Through hands-on learning and innovation, you have answered the call from our nationalists to elevate education as a driver of economic growth," she said.

"We teachers see what you are doing. You promised innovation, and you have delivered. That is why we are here.

"We promise to spread your good news to the communities, staff rooms, markets, and polling units. Our vote is for the All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom," she stressed.

Professor Ndubueze Mbah, the Commissioner for Education and patron of TGM, said the teachers' endorsement is just a glimpse of the support coming for him and the President ahead of the 2027 elections.

He added, "On behalf of all teachers here today, I thank you for believing in the vision that education will help Enugu State grow. You have put in so many resources to give every Enugu child a future."

Governor Mbah said the endorsement means a lot to him beyond the 2027 elections. He believes the future his government wants to build depends on education and the teachers.

"Today’s endorsement is very important because everything we do, all our promises and goals, growing Enugu’s economy, becoming one of the top three states in GDP, and making Enugu number one for investment, business, living, and tourism, depend on our teachers.

"That is why we put so much effort into education. We are building over 7,000 classrooms, and we do not talk about the details like 464 furniture items, 25,000 desktop computers, 5,000 tablets, or free feeding and uniforms, among others.

"For us, it is about changing the education system. And that change, whether we succeed or fail, relies on your support.

"That is why when I say I see you and value you, it comes from the heart because I know what you go through to teach our children so we can become a great state. We appreciate you dearly," he said.

Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, the Governor's wife, represented by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, said the endorsement is a great reward for a government that has made education the foundation of its development plans.

The event saw many senior government officials, political, and community leaders in attendance.