By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A man, identified as Mr Omatie Johnny, has been teaching at Ukpokiti Primary School in Agbarha Warri Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, for 22 years without receiving any salary.
In a video shared by a popular Facebook user, Mc Flexy, also known as Aproko King, he revealed that he learnt about Mr Johnny and the voluntary service he has been rendering to the community for more than two decades.
In the video, Mr Johnny, who has lived in the reverine community since 1986, said Ukpokiti Primary School was established in the then Bendel State in 1987 and was later approved in 1988.
He explained that he started teaching before the state began posting teachers to the school, and continued without pay even after the school came under Delta State following its creation.
During the course of teaching, he applied to be employed as a teacher, but was asked to undergo teacher training, which he could not afford.
The father of several children disclosed that he provides for his family by harvesting palm nuts and fishing after school hours.
“I have been teaching in this school for 22 years now. I am not being paid by anyone. The school was founded in 1987 and then approved in 1988 under Bendel State.
“From 1988, I was the only one teaching without pay. In 1990, they posted another teacher here, and from there, more teachers were sent.
“When Delta State was created, all the schools in the former Bendel State were moved to Delta State, making Delta State responsible for them.
“I applied for the state to employ me as a teacher, and they told me to go for teacher training, but I had no money to do so.
“I have been married for over 15 years. My children attend this school, and some of them have graduated from here.
“I manage to feed my family by going into the forest to gather palm nuts to sell. The little money I make from selling them, I use to buy fishing nets, which I also use for fishing.”
Mr Johnny noted that the King of Agbarha Kingdom, HRM Ataneru Igbi II, has been offering him financial support in recognition of his selfless service.
The Youth Chairman of Ukpokiti Community, Mr Emmanuel, who was also tutored by him, commended his dedication, saying Mr Johnny taught him as a pupil and is now teaching his children.
Appealing to the government, MC Flexy said: “These are the people that the Delta State government needs to support. I believe that if the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, hears this, he will support him. I also believe in the Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Abbas.
What's your reaction?
