For more than two decades, Mr. Omatie Johnny has served as a volunteer teacher at Ukpokiti Primary School in Agbarha Warri Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, without receiving a salary.

The sacrifice of the 22-year service, which recently came to light in a viral video shared by social commentator, Mc Flexy (Aproko King), has sparked fresh calls on the Delta State government to intervene.

Johnny, who has lived in the community since 1986, began teaching in 1988, when Ukpokiti Primary School was newly established in the then Bendel State.

He continued even after the school was taken over by Delta State following its creation in 1991.

“I applied for employment, but I was told to go for teacher training, which I could not afford. Since then, I have remained here, teaching without pay,” he explained.

He is surviving by harvesting palm nuts and fishing after school hours to provide for his family. “The little money I make from selling palm nuts is what I use to buy nets for fishing, so I can feed my household,” he said.

Community leaders described his commitment as remarkable. The traditional ruler of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, Ataneru Igbi II, has occasionally supported him financially, while the youth chairman of Ukpokiti, Mr. Emmanuel, testified: “He taught me as a child, and today he is teaching my children. His devotion cannot be ignored.”

Speaking in the viral video, Mc Flexy urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Warri South Local Government Area chairman, Abbas Weyinmi, to act immediately.

“These are the people who deserve government recognition and support. A man who has given 22 years of his life without pay should not be left to struggle in poverty,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)

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