...Thanks To LASG, Winning Is Natural To Us - TG/PS District I Agege, Dr. Ayandele
In a fell swoop Education District 1 Agege has again produced winner of the prestigious National MeadowHall Foundation 'Inspirational Educator Award (INSEA)' for Y2018 held recently.
The final selection that saw Mrs. Usillo Oluwawemimo Kikelomo of Ifesowapo Aboru Senior Secondary School in District 1, emerging first in a tie with her Ogun State counterpart took place in a keen contest at the corporate headquarters of the Non Governmental Organization's office in Lekki, Lagos on Saturday 21st April, 2018.
The expanded National Inspirational Educator Award's stringent criteria reportedly pruned the over 400 entrants down to 10 qualifiers, six finalists and eventually the two winners that emerged in a tie after a very serious contest, sequel to the maiden edition of Y2017 which was confined to Lagos State alone.
Commenting on outcome of the contest while celebrating winner of the Y2018 edition of the prestigious INSEA second time in a row, (as winner and first runner up of the maiden edition in Y2017 emerged District 1), the Tutor General /Permanent Secretary, Education District I, Dr. (Mrs) Olufolayimika Abiose Ayandele, (a multiple Award winner herself), was full of praises for Usillo.
Said she on describing the second Winner of INSEA produced by the District; "Mrs. Usillo is a multi-talented hard worker" known for working smart as well, proudly claiming that Usillo was fast towing her path, just as she gave kudos to the organisers for the stringent, transparent process of selection and the Lagos State Government for providing the needed platform for hard working staff, especially, teachers to excel.
Going further, the TG/PS stated that "it is heart warming to see Teachers that stand out with outstanding performance" while recalling that in the 99 schools under her charge within Agege, Alimosho and Ifako-Ijaiye with a staff population of approximately 4250, this same Usillo emerged Best Teacher in District 1, for Y2017, saying of the INSEA, that she was highly elated because this time, the contest was not just within Lagos as obtained in the maiden edition, but held at the national level and judged by people of high intellect and integrity.
Dr. Ayandele, still commending Mrs Usillo, stated that it was imperative that leaders groom young replacements. Saying that while these replacements are best selected naturally from those thrown up through merit due to extra personal efforts, she said it was comforting to see that Education District 1 was consistent in producing tomorrow's work force through diligence, hard work and working smart for the knowledge based workforce of tomorrow.
The TG/PS recalled that Usillo, just like her predecessors (Winner and first runner up) of the prestigious Y2017 INSEA, we're both teachers from Education District 1 Agege, thus saying, "Usillo's win this year is a continuation. Only that this time, the award is at the National level. Proof that "winning is natural to us in District I. Further proof that all previous laurels won by it's Teachers were not by accident nor a fluke" that it was by dint of focused hard work.
Speaking, the several times award winning Usillo who beat over 400 other contestants to clinch THE Y2018 INSEA stated that though she put in her best as usual, that she was pleasantly surprised when she was named in the tie with her Ogun State counterpart as winner of the prestigious national MeadowHall Foundation award for Y2018.
However, after thanking the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration and the Lagos State Government for providing the platform which she leveraged on, Usillo revealed that though she had always been hard working, diligent and focused, she said that having to contend with some teachers that just returned from international contests gave her the shivers and cold feet that almost led to her surrender during the final selection process, that she was truly amazed when she was announced the winner of the coveted Y2018 INSEA.
An elated Usillo, a multi-talented Physics teacher, narrating her experience on how it all happened, stated that for several moments after her name was announced as Inspirational teacher award winner for Y2018 amongst the over 400 contending teachers from various schools domiciled all over the federation of Nigeria, she went into a state of shock in utter disbelief for several moments before being galvanized into motion by the applause and shouts of encouragement from other contenders.
According to her, "My winning can only be God at work because when I arrived at venue of the final interview and met so many other exposed competitors, most of whom had very impressive Corricullae Vitae; even two teachers from this very same District 1, I felt dejected and lost all hopes of winning because, this year's edition of the program was special. It was an expanded version of the maiden edition that held last year, the scope was widened to accommodate more teachers from all over the federation which made the competition even stiffer."
Speaking on secrets of her incessant award winnings, the Award Winner Teacher of District I, said "Am an inspirational teacher an a passionate person who focuses on the mission of winning with zeal as I did and won the Best Teacher Award of District I in Y2017, the same way I did when I entered for the Lagos State Best Teachers Award whose results will soon be released.
In thanking MeadowHall Foundation for inaugurating the 'Inspirational Education Award (INSEA)' which she said scrupulously assesses teachers abilities, encouraging them to aspire to even greater heights in delivery, just as she said she likes the notion of accommodating a self improvement and motivational course at the Lagos Business School as a part of the award prize reward instead of only cash.
While thanking MeadowHall for their efforts and gesture which she said was specifically targeted at teachers to encourage them in going the extra mile in order to achieve more in imparting the much needed knowledge in their students with updated skills, Usillo seized the opportunity to thank the Lagos State Government whom she said was responsible for providing the platform, gave kudos to the Governor Ambode led administration saying she was particularly motivated by efforts of her Tutor General, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufolayimika Abiose Ayandele whom she stated was her "Mentor and a Trail Blazer".
On the other hand, her school principal, Mr. Alli Babatunde who was equally proud of Usillo, was full of praises for the physics Teacher whom he described as "a bundle of talent, energy and a hard worker", claiming that her attitude to work set her apart while her monumental achievements were a source of inspiration to her students and even other teachers.
Speaking further on INSEA, her school principal, who is also a Physics Teacher of long standing, stated that the organiser's (MeadowHall Foundation) assessment were so stringent that he was not contacted during the process. He stated that "the verification call only came after the whole exercise had been concluded".
Babatunde further stated that "this most recent Award is our success and we are even anticipating another from the contest for Best Teacher Award Y2018 organised by Lagos State Ministry of Education, for all Teachers in state government employ" to which Usillo has equally applied.
NOSA OKUNBOR
