Deaths roll for Lagos teachers

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A new revelation has been made about the number of
teachers who die every month in Lagos and it will
shock you.
An average of 10 teachers die each month in the post-
primary teaching service of the state accroding to the
Lagos State Teachers’ Establishment and Pension
Office (TEPO).
Mrs Sewanu Ayodele-Amosu, the Permanent Secretary
of TEPO, made the disclosure on Tuesday at a
Sensitisation Seminar and Capacity Building on
Healthy Living for Post-Primary Teaching Staff of the
state.
According to Vanguard, she said that apart from
sudden collapse resulting in either temporary or
permanent confinement in bed, the disturbing rate of
deaths among teachers in the state called for concern.
According to her, in spite of the prevailing economic
situation in the country, there is, arguably, scantiness
of knowledge on healthy living.
“This is another contributory factor for this
worrisome adverse health condition of the teachers.
“This health seminar will be held quarterly to
educate teachers on the importance of healthy living
and to provide support for those that have health
challenges.
“This seminar is designed to effect real behavioural
changes among staff of the post-primary teaching
service and promote capacity for maintenance and
sustainability of good and vibrant health,’’ she said.
The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule,
said the state government would continue to pay
adequate attention to the needs of teachers as it
recognised their role to humanity.
Adebule said that the Ministry of Education was
working with the Ministry of Health to issue Health
Cards to teachers to enable them to access prompt
medical care at the state’s health institutions.
“The health card will be part of the requirements for
promotion as a way of motivating our teachers to go
for regular health checks.
“I urge you to take out time and take care of
yourselves and your health because it is only when
you are healthy that you can deliver efficiently,’’
Adebule said.
Also, Mrs Mary Adenikinju, a health expert, advised
teachers to exercise regularly, eat less of processed and
cooked foods and eat more of vegetables and fruits.
Mr Adedayo Famakinwa, Lagos State House of
Assembly Committee Chairman on Establishment,
Training and Public Service, said that teachers were
curators of the future and were expected to be healthy
in mind and body.