Prominent Adamawa leader, Ishaya Inuwa Durkwa, has joined citizens across the state and beyond to congratulate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, on his recent honour as the recipient of the Golden Award of Excellence for Education and Teacher Friendliness presented by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
Durkwa, in a statement issued in Yola on Saturday, described the award as “a well-deserved recognition for a visionary leader whose commitment to education continues to transform Adamawa State.”
He noted that Governor Fintiri’s consistent investment in the education sector has not only improved infrastructure and teacher welfare but has also rekindled hope among parents and young learners across the state.
“This honour from the NUT is not just about one man; it is a reflection of an administration that understands the power of education,” Durkwa said. “Governor Fintiri has proven time and again that education is not a privilege but a right, and he has given teachers the respect and support they truly deserve.”
The Golden Award of Excellence, presented during the World Teachers’ Day 2025 celebration in Abuja, recognized the Governor’s outstanding contributions to teacher welfare, infrastructure renewal, and educational reform.
The Federal Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, hailed Fintiri as “the most teacher-friendly Governor in Nigeria,” a statement that drew applause from education stakeholders nationwide.
Durkwa, reacting to the news, said the Governor’s recognition by a national professional body like the NUT confirms that the policies of the Adamawa State Government are yielding visible results.
He recalled how the Fintiri administration’s free education program, timely teacher promotions, and school rehabilitation projects have drastically improved enrolment and performance rates in both urban and rural communities.
“The impact of these reforms can be felt everywhere,” Durkwa continued. “From the new classrooms rising in our local governments to the motivation of teachers who now receive their entitlements promptly, Adamawa is becoming a model for others to follow.”
According to him, the award also sends a strong message to young Nigerians about the value of service, integrity, and vision in leadership.
He described Fintiri as a “bridge-builder” whose inclusive governance style has united people across ethnic and political lines in pursuit of progress.
“When a leader focuses on education, he is not just changing today — he is shaping the next generation. Governor Fintiri’s name will be remembered for turning our classrooms into centers of opportunity,” Durkwa added.
Residents of Yola and beyond have continued to celebrate the recognition. Many described it as the latest in a series of positive developments credited to the Fintiri administration’s emphasis on human capital development.
Durkwa further called on teachers across Adamawa to take pride in the recognition, noting that the Governor has always placed them at the center of his development agenda.
“This award belongs to every teacher who wakes up early to teach in remote villages and every child whose dream has been reignited because their school now has a roof over their head,” he said.
He commended the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for acknowledging the Governor’s achievements, saying such gestures encourage leaders to continue investing in the education sector.
Durkwa also congratulated the Adamawa State delegation that joined the Governor at the Abuja ceremony — including Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Senator Iya Abbas; Chief of Staff Dr. Emos Edgar; Head of Service Pharmacist Ardo Isa Shehu (mni); and Commissioner for Education Hon. Garba Pella — for representing the state with dignity and unity.
He concluded by urging citizens to continue supporting Governor Fintiri’s education reforms and other developmental projects, emphasizing that collective commitment remains key to sustaining the progress recorded so far.
“Adamawa is gradually becoming a beacon of educational excellence in Northern Nigeria,” Durkwa said. “With unity, understanding, and the continued leadership of Governor Fintiri, we can achieve even greater milestones.”
The Nigeria Union of Teachers’ recognition, celebrated as part of World Teachers’ Day 2025 under the theme “Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies,” has drawn wide praise across Nigeria.
Analysts describe it as proof that good governance and accountability can still thrive in public service.
For Adamawa people, the award is not just an honour for the Governor — it is a symbol of shared progress and renewed confidence in education as the foundation of lasting development.
