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Revised Teachers’ Salary, Retirement Age to Impact Education Positively: Nigerian Prelate

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja.

The decision by Nigeria’s Federal Government to revise the teachers’ salary and their age of retirement upwards has been hailed by a Catholic Archbishop who has described the move as “unprecedented” and one that will positively impact the system of education in the country.

“I appreciate this unprecedented and edifying generosity to teachers by the Federal Government. It is a gesture that will have a very positive impact on our educational system,” Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese said.

In the Sunday, October 11 message, Archbishop Kaigama described the move as “commendably great news” and expressed the hope that the Federal Government of Nigeria will be “transparent and flawless” in the implementation of the teachers’ terms of service.

On the occasion of World Teacher’s Day marked October 5, President Muhammadu Buhari announced a special salary scale for teachers in the country, extended their retirement age to 65 years and their duration of service from 35 to 40 years. 

President Buhari also promised teachers rural posting allowance, science teachers’ allowance, timely promotion of low-cost houses in rural areas, prompt payment of salaries, among others. 

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“We hope too that the President will meticulously follow this noble initiative to its logical conclusion, and that he will extend similar gestures to doctors, unemployed youths, low income earners, rural dwellers,” the Archbishop said during Sunday Mass. 

He went on to encourage members of the congregation who gathered at St. Benedict’s Parish Lokogoma of Abuja Archdiocese to be mindful of one another, making reference to the Sunday readings. 

“Humanity is supposed to be a big banquet celebration; where we care for one another, support one another, and be sensitive to each other’s needs; not when others are eating and drinking lavishly, while some are hungry and starving,” he remarked.

He added, “In the banquet of humanity we must be conscious of those who lack among us so that we can share with them.”

Referencing the recently published Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, the Nigerian Prelate said, “Our love for others, for who they are, moves us to seek the best for their lives. Only by cultivating this way of relating to one another will we make possible a social friendship that excludes no one and a fraternity that is open to all.”

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The 62-year-old Archbishop also called on the people of God to “overcome prejudices, personal interests, historic and cultural barriers and be co-responsible in creating a society that is able to include, integrate and lift up those who are suffering or facing hardship.”  

“No one should be excluded on account of color, race or status,” Archbishop Kaigama said, making reference to Pope Francis’ Encyclical published on October 4, Fratelli Tutti.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.