By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

In the past, while still a starry-eyed secondary school student, Chidiebube Ifechukwu Esomnofu was the unlikeliest of persons to become a mathematics teacher, let alone winning a prestigious national teaching competition based on his proficiency and competence in teaching secondary school students mathematics. But why was he the unlikeliest person to become a mathematics teacher, then?

As an impressionable young man, he had a great fear for the subject as it was his stumbling block in his quest to become a medical doctor. But happily, with the passage of time, and through a dint of hard work, he gained a mastery of mathematics, which dispelled his fear of it. So he became obsessed with solving difficult mathematics questions.

And not unexpectedly, he went ahead to study mathematics education in the university. And thereafter, he secured a job as a maths teacher in a secondary school. Teaching secondary school students mathematics has become a niche for him considering the fact that he has a good grasp of mathematics. And he is very passionate about inculcating maths skills into his students.

So, in 2024, good fortune smiled on him when he won the latest edition of the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition. His mastery of the rudiments of mathematics and innovative pedagogic methodology, which is impactful on his students, helped him to win the prize. He has, now, joined the lengthening line of past winners of the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition.

His rise to national prominence via teaching would not have become possible had the Nigerian Breweries not instituted the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition in 2015. The maiden edition of the competition, which took place in 2015, was won by a svelte Anambra-born bluestocking, Mrs Rose Nkem Obi, who is a chemistry teacher at Federal Government Girls? College, Onitsha. Coincidentally, the current winner of the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition, Mr. Chidiebube Ifechukwu Esomnofu, is a prot?g? of Mrs Rose Obi. And both hail from Anambra state.

Esomnofu?s emergence as the national winner of the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition is an inspiration and morale booster to young Nigerian graduates, who are disdainful of the teaching profession. One of the causes of the dysfunctionality of our educational system is the Nigerian teachers? attitude to their teaching jobs. They perceive teaching as a stopgap job, which they will relinquish when they secure plum jobs. Their warped perception of teaching is the reason why they moonlight during school hours, leaving their students to their evil devices.

So the managers of the Nigerian Breweries, led by Felix Ohiwerei, who are acutely conscious of the roles, which teachers play in nation-building, instituted the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition to motivate demoralised secondary school teachers and stir them up from their lethargic state and nonchalance. A well-motivated, knowledgeable, dedicated, and sedulous teacher will be able to inculcate knowledge into students and mould their personalities. And since 2015, when the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition came into being, innumerable teachers have been striving to acquire more knowledge in their areas of specialization, hone their teaching skills, and develop impactful pedagogic methodologies so as to win the competition.

The Nigerian Breweries, the organiser of the Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition, rewards not only the FCT and states? champions but also the school of the national champion. So it is evident to us that the organizer of the competition is carrying out its corporate social responsibility aimed at revamping our dysfunctional educational system by giving tidy sums of money to FCT and states? champions and the national champion. It will also sponsor the overseas programme of the national winner and execute infrastructural projects in the school from which the national winner has emerged.

Now, Mr Chidiebube Esomnofu?s emergence as the winner of the 2024 Maltina Teacher of The Year Competition has improved his financial well-being and opened a vista of opportunity for him. In addition to receiving ten million naira, he will travel abroad for a training programme aimed at enhancing his teaching ability and methodology.

But beyond winning the grand prize, Mr Esomnofu has a great love for mathematics, and abiding passion for imparting maths skills to students. As his dread of mathematics during his secondary school day(s) derailed his career trajectory, he swore that other students would not be held hostage by their fear of mathematics as he was held. So he has dedicated himself to simplifying math concepts for easy comprehension by his students.

His fascinating teaching methodology includes using phenomenal and natural occurrences, which the students can comprehend, to explain abstract and difficult mathematics concepts. Not only does he relate each concept to real life application, he teaches them with love and passion. And he factors in the students? mental abilities, weaknesses, and strengths while teaching.

More so, Mr. Chidiebube Esomnofu?s online presence as a mathematics teacher underscores his love of mathematics and great mastery of it. Till now, he has over one million followers on diverse social media platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, and Telegram. And his followers come from diverse racial backgrounds. ?Esomnofu Online Math?, which is his brainchild, has simplified difficult mathematical theorems for his followers, who hold him in high esteem.

A mathematics teacher at Crown of Grace Secondary School, Maraba, Nassarawa State, Esomnofu attended Development Primary School, Abata-Nsugbe and Nwafor Orizu Demonstration Primary School, Nsugbe, Anambra state for his primary education. And for his post-primary school education, he attended Onitsha High School and Merchants of Light School, Oba, Anambra State.

Esomnofu, who is an alumnus of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, would like the government to produce school curricula that are designed to equip students with skills and imbue them with critical thinking abilities. He believes that government?s improved funding for education, equipping of our schools with laboratory and science equipment, and execution of infrastructural projects in schools will help to revamp our comatose school system.

?Chiedu Uche Okoye, a poet, writes from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State. He can be reached via 08062220654 and 09125204141

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