The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, on Tuesday, extended the retirement age of teachers in the state by five years.
The governor made the decision during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Union of Teachers at the Governor’s Office in Calabar.
Ayade also lifted the embargo on teachers’ promotion in the state.
Ayade said, “Teachers are the conscience of the nation, they are the moulders of leaders of tomorrow. So, for us in Cross River, teachers deserve premium welfare.
“To this end, teachers’ retirement age is hereby extended by five years. Embargo has also been lifted on promotion. Similarly, all promoted teachers will henceforth start earning salaries commensurate to their positions.”
The governor explained that in the last eight years of his administration, he improved teachers’ welfare, including prompt payment of their salaries and pledged to clear all outstanding issues affecting them before leaving office.
Chairman of the Cross River chapter of NUT, Gregory Olayi, earlier described the governor as teachers’ friendly and said that they were grateful that he found time to host them.
Also in his remarks, the Special Adviser to the governor on Education, Comrade Castro Nzama said the teachers came to express gratitude to Governor Ayade for his benevolence and pro-teacher policies.
