I am trying to decide whether to see Nigeria as just a country, a paradise or a coven.
Growing up as a village-boy in my little village of no regret, Origwe, it was constantly drummed into my head that teachers’ reward is carefully stuck away in Heaven. And nobody goes to heaven until death! I then began to wonder the benefit of a posthumous rewarding. What is the importance of a later day reward in the spirit realm? Not that I am carnal. But I mean, how can this reward adequately compensate for the suffering and denial being constantly experienced by the Teacher on this rugged terrain called Nigeria?
But recently, the teachers’ hope was raised. I think, towards the end of last year, God sent Nigeria’s President Buhari to gladden the hearts of Nigerian teachers. He rolled out a package that reassured all professional teachers in Nigeria that thenceforth they would begin to savour the fruit of their labour while still alive in the land of the living. The other one at Heaven’s gate becomes a bonus!
This god sent package includes:
1. Unconditional elongation of the Teachers tenure from 35 to 40 years (service) and from 60 to 65 years (age)
2. Guaranteed Teaching employment for the biological children (who studied Education in the University) of Teachers
3. Special and improved Salary Structure for Teachers.
This was about six months ago. Is it not worrisome that up till now, this Presidential proclamation which has been officially signed into law is yet to be implemented? What is happening? Who is to blame?
May be, there are some highly placed officers in the Federal Ministry of Education or the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria who hate to see smiles on teachers’ faces. Or is it mere bureaucracy that is putting the teachers’ joy on hold? In saner climes, such a presidential declaration should have been handled with utmost dispatch.
There is no unnecessary excuse that can hold water in this circumstance. There is no sustainable alibi that can exonerate anyone or any office from this callous handling of this human interest matter.
I believe the officers involved know too well that it concerns persons who have put in their very best in bringing up other people’s children. Ageing persons who have sacrificed their youth in raising today’s professors and other professionals. They decreased that these others may increase!
Whoever is sitting on the consummation of this goodwill extended to the teachers by President Buhari and his Government may be sitting on a keg of gunpowder! When it explodes, the culprits and their families surely will reap a harvest of blood and shame.
A stitch in time saves nine! Let nobody tell Nigerians that there is a financial incapacitation. Nigerians have eyes and can see the wealth in the land, cornered by a few well connected Nigerians. They can see their humongous material wealth translated to numerous high-rise buildings, outlandish limousines and stupendous housing estates that assault the sensibilities of hardworking but less privileged Nigerians.
We should remember that some of them ought to go back to their homes for a well merited rest after meritoriously rendering service to us and our children. They obediently hung on to their duty post due to the presidentially instigated new policy. Ever since, they have been faithful to the call of their duty. They go to school punctually and regularly.
It beats one’s imagination therefore, why these diligent and obedient officers are yet to be paid their monthly remunerations from the effective date of their full-time elongated service up till now. Apart from transport fare to their places of teaching, each of the re-engaged teachers has other financial obligations to fulfill. The labourer is worth his hire. This delayed payment is inhuman.
All I am saying is that President Buhari’s large hearted policy as it affects teachers should be urgently and sincerely implemented. No hiding in the shadow of bureaucratic bottlenecks!
The policy concerns teachers who have laboured painfully to lead us and our own children to positions of positive highlight and trust. No one should begrudge the teachers this merited reward. Here on earth, now. Then later, in Heaven!

By: Chuka Opara