The Federal Government has indicated an interest in partnering with programme organizers of the annual Maltina Teacher of the Year Awards, Nigerian Breweries Plc.

The government said the partnership would be formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the programme and ensure its sustainability.

At a meeting with the management of Nigerian Breweries on Thursday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Anthony Anwuka lauded the initiative of the company to honour Nigerian teachers, describing the exercise which involves both public and private secondary schools in the country as very impressive.

He noted that the idea to build blocks of classrooms for the school with the best teacher as well as an overseas training and cash award is quite commendable.

According to the minister, the MoU which would be signed very soon, is meant to strengthen the programme as a worthy national competition. “It is a good thing to motivate teachers,” he said.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from Nigerian Breweries, Victor Famuyibo, said that the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award is part of the social responsibility of the company. He added that beyond the common saying that teachers reward is in heaven, teachers should reap some of the reward here on earth.

Fumuyibo added that the company has impacted education in the country at various levels, from primary, secondary and tertiary education through provision of facilities such as libraries, laboratories, classrooms and others.

Also speaking at the occasion, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Obong Obong commended Nigerian Breweries for the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award. He encouraged other corporate entities to learn from the exemplary role of the brewer.