Inoyo Toro Foundation Rewards Teaching Excellence the 18th time

 Inoyo Toro Foundation Rewards Teaching Excellence the 18th time

Priscilla Akpanettot

In its commitment to the sustenance of teacher-motivation in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, the Inoyo Toro Foundation has again rewarded teachers for the 18^th successive time. This happened on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Watbridge Hotel in Uyo.

Following a thorough selection process, the event saw 6 teachers who came 2^nd position in Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English Language, Mathematics and Physics; go home with Two Hundred Thousand Naira each; while another 6 who came 1^st in the 6 subjects went home with Three Hundred Thousand Naira each.

Three Principals got Two Hundred Thousand, Three Hundred Thousand and Five Hundred Thousand Naira, as 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st place winners, respectively; while Grand Mentors for each of the subjects got Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000).

Winners at the event

The second-prize winner for Biology was Anthony Akpan Essien of Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nung Udoe; while Nyakno Essien of McIntre Secondary Community School, Utu Abak emerged first prize winner.

For Chemistry, Nkereuwem Andrew Udo of Community Secondary School, Ibiaku Ibiono, Western Ibiono-Ibom came 2^nd and Udeme Felix Ekanem of Aka Offot Community Secondary School, Uyo, came 1^st.

In Economics, Glory Monday Umanah of Offot Ukwa Secondary Grammar School, Obio Offot emerged 2^nd, while Ndifreke Edet of Brotherhood Secondary School, Ikot Ide Akpakpan came 1^st.

The second-prize winner for English Language was Kufre Akpan Benson of McIntre Secondary Commercial School, Utu Abak; while Imoh Archibong of Cornelia Cornelly College, Afaha Oku emerged first-prize winner.

For Mathematics, Ofonime Okorie of Nduo Eduo High School, Eket came 2^nd and Emmanuel Akpan of Ikpe Community Secondary School, Ibam Edet in Ini came 1^st.  

In Physics, Blessed Sunday of Asong Community Secondary School, Asong, Mkpat Enin emerged 2^nd, while Michael Sunday Moses of Government Secondary School, Afaha Eket came 1^st.

Similarly, Uwem Jacob of Unity Model College, Obontong, Nsit Ibom emerged third-prize in the Principal’s category; Imo Etim Okori of Nigerian Christian Secondary School, Ukpom Abak came second-place, while Augusta Afahaenam Etukudo of Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket came first-place.

Grand Mentors were: Edidiong George Idioh of Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nung Udoe (Biology); Joshua Udo Udo of Lott Carey Baptist Secondary School, Afaha Obio Eno (Chemistry); Ubon-Obong Friday Archibong of McIntre Secondary Commercial School (English Language), Felix Oku Effiong of Girl’s High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket (Physics) and Godswill Bradford Inyang of Salvation Army School, Efa, Etinan.

Speaking on the selection process, Chairman of the Award Screening Committee, Prof. Enobong Joshua explained that the screening test for selecting the winning teacher is in two parts. “The first part is an aptitude-based CBT aligned with the WAEC/NECO curriculum. The second part is an oral interaction between the facilitators and at most, 6 of those who pass the written test reasonably well…the first and runner-up prizes can be achieved only if a contestant scores at least, 70% and at least, 50%, respectively, in the tests”, he said.

He furthered that 200 teachers, made up of 10 teachers, 11 mentors and 9 Principals applied for the award exercise but only 150 of them participated in the CBT.

“Although this response shows improvement over 2024 figures, it still falls short of our expectation, given the large number of teachers … in our public secondary schools”, he worried, and encouraged more teachers in the public schools to apply for the awards exercise in the coming year.

                               Chairman of the Award Screening Committee, Prof. Enobong Joshua

He maintained that a good teacher can inspire hope and ignite imagination when adequately trained and motivated. This he noted, was the reason the Foundation was committed to rewarding teachers by helping them become more dedicated to their profession.  

Among other things, the retired Professor of Applied Mathematics listed the aims and objectives of the Inoyo Toro Foundation to include: encouragement of teachers of Science, Mathematics, English Language and some other endangered subjects in public schools; stimulation of awareness for the study of these subjects; promotion of healthy and positive competition for excellence among teachers and the offer of mentorship opportunities for public secondary school students in the State.

He therefore congratulated the awardees on their success, urging them to see their win as the beginning of a new journey in mentorship and collaboration with their colleagues for effective lesson delivery.

One of the Mentors, Mr. Effiong Esumo addressing students

Preceded by a Student Mentoring Clinic where students across 16 Local Government Areas of the State met and interacted with their mentors, the awards were majorly sponsored by Engineering Automation Technology Limited as well as individuals such as Mr. Boni Akpan (English Language), Barrister Aniekan Ukpanah (Mathematics), Clement Isong, Jnr. (Economics), Bassey Ukpong Udo and the family of Simon Etim (Principal Award).

In her Goodwill message, a pioneer member of the Lagos Business School and special guest at the event, Prof. Franca Ovajie appreciated the Inoyo Toro Foundation for the initiative to appreciate the efforts of teachers, describing it as a boost to the existing free education policy in the State. She also commended the award sponsors for keying into the Foundation’s teacher motivation initiative and called for more support from individuals and organizations.

Prof. Franca Ovajie at the event

Earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Uyo and Chairman on the occasion, Prof. Aniekan Brown charged the students to not only aim towards certification but be certified to drive the needed change that will positively affect the society.

In his remarks, the Vice President and Principal Consultant, Service Business Development in West Africa at Mastercard and Guest Speaker, Mr. Unwana Esang extolled the virtues of teachers whom he described as the heartbeat of the society. He recalled his academic journey from cradle to adulthood and acknowledged the impact of his teachers on his life all the way. Speaking through by Mr. Effanga Effanga, the Guest Speaker charged the audience, students particularly, on success-consciousness. He impressed that excellence was not accidental but intentional and a product of hardwrok, integrity and community. For this reason, he urged his listeners to embrace team-work on their path to greatness, against solitary growth.

Chairman on the ocassion, Prof. Aniekan Brown

Responding to the gesture, the first-prize winner of the Principal Award, Mrs. Augusta Afahaemem Etukudo of Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok in Eket, was overjoyed at her feat. She expressed sincere thanks to the Foundation for rewarding her years of dedication in such manner. Describing the selection process as very transparent and objective, she attributed her win to ANCOPPS training she has attended over the years and Conference materials which she said have helped her fare well as Principal.

Another first-time winner and 2^nd prize winner for Chemistry, Mr. Nkereuwem Andrew Udo of Community Secondary School, Ibiaku Ibiono in Western Ibiono was visibly elated to have won the award on his first attempt. He said the award was a huge motivation to his career and promised to be a good ambassador of the Foundation.

Students at the mentoring session

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of a souvenir by the Inoyo Toro Foundation’s Teachers’ Alumni, to the Foundation’s Principal, Mr. Udom Inoyo. According to the Coordinator of the Alumni, Mr. Ephraim Jacob Inyangudo, the Foundation had been all they ever needed to upscale, bounce and shine in their respective subject areas. Himself a multiple Awardee of the Foundation in Physics, the FULLBRIGHT award winner assured that they would keep the Foundation’s flag flying wherever they went.

Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of the Teachers’ Award was staged alongside the 5^th Ray Ekpu Award for Investigative Journalism in Akwa Ibom State. It had Ekemini Simon of the Mail Newspaper as winner; Saviour Imukudo of Premium Times Newspaper as 1^st runner-up and Enwono-Abasi Elisha of the Crest Newspaper as 2^nd runner-up.  

Winner of the Ray Ekpu Award for Investigative Journalism, Ekemini Simon, flanked by Mr. Nsikak Essien (L) and Mr. Census Ekpu

According to the organisers, the award aims to promote the ideals of journalistic excellence, contribute to good governance in public office, impact the fight against corruption and impunity, support national unity and ethnic cohesion in Akwa Ibom State, champion human and individual rights, as well as combat societal ills such as rape and girl-child abuse.

Speaking on the criteria for selection, Chairman of the Award Screening Committee, Mr. Nsikak Essien said that depth of investigation which highlights facts, figures and relevant issues; adherence to journalistic excellence; style and language of presentation as well as the expected contribution of the report to good governance in the public sector were cardinal factors the Committee took into cognizance in choosing the three winners. He encouraged media houses and reporters to pursue investigative journalism, stressing that it was the crux of the practice.

Commenting on the development, the Akwa Ibom State Council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Nsibiet John felicitated with winners of the 5^th Ray Ekpu Investigative Journalism Awards and commended the organizers for their consistency in promoting excellence in journalism practice.

The Chairman, NUJ AKS, Comrade Nsibiet John

He said the Award was an inspiration to the winners to continue upholding the values of professionalism, truth and accountability, and that the Union remains open to partnerships with individuals, organizations and institutions that would like to support the Union in any way possible.

Responding, the 2025 winner of the award, Ekemini Simon thanked the Foundation for the honour and recognition done him. “Knowing that a prize will come at the end of the year is itself a motivation for me”, he said, while thanking God for protection in the course of his duties. Simon who has won the prize for 4 years since it was initiated in 2021, said he has, and will continue to share practical knowledge with other journalists on financial and environmental reporting to enable the availability of newcomers to the investigative beat.

The event was well attended by members of the academia, corporate organisations, the media as well as lovers of education within and outside Akwa Ibom State.

Other attendees at the event