First Educator Global Teacher Winner Adewale Eulogise HE Dapo Abiodun For Acknowledging And Celebrating His Feat
Adewale who was full of Gratitude to His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun - MFR wrote thus:
It is with a heart full of gratitude that I extend my deepest appreciation to His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for educators in Ogun State. Under your administration, sir, teachers have not only been recognized but celebrated, inspiring us to reach greater heights.
I still vividly recall being rewarded with ₦2,500,000 in 2020 as the Best Senior Secondary School Teacher in Ogun State, a moment that reaffirmed my commitment to excellence in the teaching profession. Today, that journey has led me to an incredible milestone: being named among the Top 50 Finalists of the GEMS Global Teacher Prize by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO
Your recent gesture of honoring me as Ogun State Education Ambassador with a bungalow of my choice and a cash reward of ₦5,000,000 is a testament to your administration's dedication to celebrating hard work, fostering innovation, and transforming education in Ogun State. This recognition is not just about me—it is about the bright future you are creating for teachers and education in our state.
To the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tokunbo Talabi, the Chief of Staff, and the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, I deeply appreciate your encouragement, mentorship, and relentless support. I also want to specially appreciate the Special Adviser to His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun on Education, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, for bringing out the best in us during the popular Ogun State Television program Ogundigiclass. This program inspired me to start my own YouTube channel, Adewale Kayode Online Class, to complement the state government’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Today, the channel has grown significantly, boasting over 200 educational content and more than 1,200 subscribers, continuing to impact lives positively.
I also want to appreciate EduTAMS under the leadership of Dr. Ademola Adenubi for their consistent support throughout my journey and for providing the tools and inspiration that have helped me improve as an educator. My gratitude also extends to Co-creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB) , Lagos, Nigeria for their invaluable support and collaboration, which have empowered me to achieve new heights in my career.
Additionally, I want to acknowledge Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, Nigeria my Alma Mater, the premier and preferred university of education in Nigeria, first in Nigeria, second in Africa, and eighth in the world. Your foundation has been instrumental in shaping my passion for teaching and education.
To the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Alhaja Oluwatosin Oloko , the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission, my Principal, Dr. Simeon Odeniyi , my wonderful parents, and my amazing wife, I deeply appreciate your unflinching support and encouragement throughout this journey.
As we look ahead, I humbly seek your continued support and prayers as I strive to bring the trophy home and make history as the first educator from West Africa to win the Global Teacher Prize. Together, we will demonstrate to the world that Ogun State is truly the Gateway State, a beacon of excellence in education.
To my fellow educators, the teaching profession is no longer what it used to be. We are now positioned alongside other professionals as key drivers of societal transformation. Your hard work will not go unnoticed; let us stay committed and focused.
Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and prayers. Let us continue building our future together.
Yours sincerely,
Kayode Adewale
Ogun State Education Ambassador
Top 50 Finalist, GEMS Global Teacher Prize 2025
Limitless Global Educator 2024
Fulbright TEA Fellow 2023
2nd Runner-up Best Teacher in Nigeria 2023. #GlobalTeacherPrize #teachersmatter #usironiijebu #education #educationmatters
