SALUTE TO ALL TEACHERS: THE TRUE NATION BUILDERS

PRESENTED BY MISS IFAN .M. MERCY PERPETUAL,

OUTGOING HEAD GIRL
Today I write on behalf of all the great teachers, those who would rather
sacrifice their entire precious tie and comfort for their students and by implication
their Nation. I know that students may have had a teacher who does not exemplify
all that is noble about teaching profession. There are many in our society that show
no regards or have no notice for teachers, for them, a teacher barely means or
represents nothing. While I do not blame them for their position or opinion in this
matter, I invite you and challenge you to simply think over the whole thing (i.e a
teacher) and find a soft spot in your heart……then show some respect to teachers
in your school, village or society and I will tell you why you need to do so. If you
can read this article, then there is a teacher to thank in your life. What is happening
world over in the classrooms today is every nation's fate for tomorrow and is
history that will be read by future generations. Thank, respect and treat them with
dignity for their work. If you are a parent I implore you to speak respectively to
your child's teachers so that your child learns the importance of a teacher.
Let us start somewhere…maybe with a question: Have you ever taken
a moment to think about a teacher, any teacher, your teacher, and what they stand
for? Or can you remember that one teacher who might have had a remarkable
impact on you when you were in school? a teacher who refused to let you give up,
who pushed you and believed in you a passion for learning, who mentored you,
encouraged you and built you up? Do you remember the way that teacher inspired
you? What were his /her outstanding qualities: boundless energy, endless patience,
and vision, a sense of purpose, creativity and commitment in helping you discover
and fulfill you potential? How come then, only bad stories are told about teachers?
 It is these teachers, the unsung HEROES of our Nation that I salute
today. After the parents, the biggest impact on a child's success comes from a man
or woman in front of the classroom. There is no other personality who can have an
influence more profound than that of a teacher. Students are deeply affected by a
teacher's love, character, competence and moral commitment. The teacher guides
students towards noble deeds, studies, health, cleanliness, moral values and all the
qualities that will enable them to grow into ideal citizens of their Nation. A popular
teacher becomes a model for his/she student. Students try to follow their teacher in
his/her manner, customs, style of conversation etc. The teacher is the ideal; he/she
can lead them anywhere. Because of the teacher, learners grow to become
knowledgeable people who will be useful to the society, church, nation and the
world at large. Hey! Wait a minutes! Who taught your president or your "who is
who" in your Nation? Is it not the teacher, the basic inventor of who is who in any
nation beginning from the president to the very least? No wonder they say that
teaching is the mother of all professions.
In the past, teachers were held by all in high esteem and were
considered respectable figures even by emperors and kings because only teachers
guided and advised them in times of crisis. They were the trustees of common
welfare and true benefactors of the society. History is full of examples that vividly
show that great decisions of vital importance to the whole nation were taken on the
directions of teachers. Such was the importance enjoyed by teachers in the past:
Teachers were considered the backbone of a nation, not just nation builders, but
also civilization keepers. Today teachers pass on moral values necessary to keep
western civilization alive. Through their perseverance, love and sacrifice, teachers
have shown their students the right path towards building the society. Teachers, are
representatives of society, inculcate intelligence and character or moral precepts.
 A country that desires development must first of all pay great attention to
education and the most suited to assist in this process. The humble teacher,
flourishing Nation's development and prosperity all have their basis on the teacher.
A nation is built by its citizens and citizens are mounded by the teacher. Chanakya
has rightly stated "A teacher is the maker of a Nation". The future of any Nation is
fashioned by the teacher through the process of education. Indeed, it is the schools
of today that will beget the world of tomorrow.
The role of the teacher is a multi-faceted one. As a facilitator of learning, the
teacher is involved in motivating students to learn, maintaining control in the
classroom and the school in general, and in creating a conducive environment for
learning and in determining the future of the Nation. The teacher is considered a
hero for development, for in his/her hands are born heroes who will fill the public
places in the Nation. The teacher, as an agent of change, ignites in his/her students
a passion and readiness to meet and face tomorrow's challenges. The ideal teacher
not only meets the technical requirement of "smart, clever or expect in their
knowledge", but also is able to present himself/herself as a developed hero with a
fighting spirit and a pioneer of societal betterment who sacrifices his/her comfort
and time. The teacher does not just inform, explain or demonstrates, but also play
that cardinal role of inspiring and building up the character of the next generation
and the definitive role of shaping one's very destiny. Their job is not merely to
teach, earn a salary and go home; it is to make the Nation a power to reckon with.
Let us be frank here that you can never repay what a teacher does. In the
teacher, there will be no peace or satisfaction until he/her students touch and go
beyond the sky. The teacher pts in countless hours and relentless commitment to
mentor learners and to help them get acquainted with the things the society needs
to know, do and have. Every time you see a Nation growing, be in admiration of
the teacher who has made its citizens capable of providing that Nation with the
best. In other words, the teacher makes ordinary people, families, villages,
societies and Nation winners. A teacher is like a gardener who year in, year out,
nurtures his /her plants tenderly to maturity.
To all teachers; past; present; future; I salute you. You are great men and
women… The True and resilient Nation Builders.
Thank you for giving me your attention.
Long live Nigeria!
Long live Benue State!!
Long live the great Teachers!!!
Long live the old students of Daddy Memorial College!!!!
Long live D.M.C Yagba!!!!!