The Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has lamented over the rate of damage activities of kidnappers, insurgents and bandits have caused to the educational sector and the lives of school children.

The NUT Chairman, Comrade Adamu Mohammed, made this known at an event to mark the 2022 World Teachers’ Day Celebration in Minna, Niger State.

Comrade Mohammed said the worst affected local councils in Niger state include Rafi, Shiroro, Mashegu, Paikoro, Munya, Mariga, and Rijau, hence the adverse effect on the desire to deliver quality education.

He further called on the state government to urgently ensure the payment of pensioners’ gratuities and salaries of teachers as at when due and the balance of ten months’ salary arrears.

Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State represented by his Deputy, Ahmed Ketso said the government is not unaware of many schools are still closed down owing to security challenges in the affected councils. He assured that the ugly trend will be reversed soon.

The state commissioner for Education, Hon Hanatu Jibrin, in her remarks enumerated some giant strides of the ministry including streamlining and strengthening the operations of the departments of the Ministry and creating an ICT department.

She assured teachers and education managers in the state that government is not unmindful of the challenges facing them and the important contribution they have been making to the development of the State.

Some teachers were awarded cars, refrigerators, gas cookers, and television sets for their outstanding performances in their respective schools.