Letter from TWB-Nigeria Country Coordinator

Dear Members, Friends and Supporters of TWB,

Just about six years ago (2001), we began this mutual effort in the platform of Teachers Without Borders. Within this short time, we have made very significant progress, as we initiated a number of programs, implemented some of them and have the challenge of following up others. Despite the several limitations against us - funding, bureaucracies, et al, we are determined to continue this noble calling to serve. The Leadership of TWB-Nigeria feel so inspired by the support we have received from all of you. As we lack words to express our feelings, we sincerely want to thank you for your interest, contributions and support for Teachers Without Borders (especially in Nigeria).

As we had said earlier, TWB is trying to make our world a best place for all humanity to live. We are very pleased that the efforts, determination and commitment from the year 2002 has helped in the collective efforts to move Africa and all humanity in the direction of the deep yearnings of everyone's original mind, a world without borders, re-built by Teachers Without Borders. We have made significant contributions that have been acknowledged locally and internationally in the areas of HIV/AIDS, Community Teaching and Learning Centres, CTM, women and youth empowerment and the promotion of a culture of peace.

Recalling that as TWB members in Nigeria, we live in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation with several unnecessary barriers that have retarded our progress as a nation; we need to re-double our efforts in the years ahead. Ethnic strife, religious fanaticism, tribal sentiments and favoritism still characterize our national life. We cannot fail to continue to see the vision of Teachers Without Borders as a concept that can truly promote a United Nigeria that can champion the Re-Unification of Africa that was bastardized in late 19th century. For us, the core mission of TWB-Nigeria is raise a generation of educators that will champion the provision of “education without borders” for all Nigerians and as well work for the realization of a new “Nigeria Without Borders”. A growing presence of TWB members in Nigeria is extending to neighboring countries of Africa.

We cannot fail to thank TWB International and the many organizations that have supported our efforts in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. We are grateful to CISCO, DHL, Baylor College of Medicine, and Population Council, as well as NITPA, OVF and many others who have in one way or the other supported our efforts. This list is actually inexhaustible. All we can say is THANK YOU to all.

In Nigeria, from 2007, we will stand on the foundation that TWB has created strong public awareness among teachers, government officials, community leaders, and parents on the crucial role of teachers in re-shaping this multi-bordered world that has prevented us from seeing others as we see ourselves. Since we have facilitated a movement toward the realization of the re-birth of our Nation, we must move beyond awareness to real life saving efforts that can be transparently seen and easily verifiable. We are so pleased to witness the rapid progress of our nation in the direction of building a culture of civil governance. We are thrilled by the recent completion of the first ever second tenure of civil governance (1999-2003, 2003 – 2007) and the peaceful transition on May 29, 2007 into the third tenure of uninterrupted civil rule in Nigeria.

While we shall continue in our efforts of mobilizing teachers of diverse backgrounds and encouraging them to work together for the betterment of all people, we shall see the impact of our efforts made more manifest in several communities and institutions in the year 2007 and beyond; we have fulfilled the task of mobilizing educators to teach for the sake of humanity and this has indeed been a most rewarding experience as prospective leaders of the nation. Thanks to TWB.

In 2007 and 2008, we will be continuing a very busy and fruitful schedule of programs. Our efforts, we hope will expand the establishment of more Community Teaching and Learning Centers in Nigeria, the introduction and endorsement of our Certificate of Teaching Mastery Programs as well as the reduction of HIV/AIDS spread through our education of teachers on HIV/AIDS, thanks to the efforts of our membership and leadership. Our HIV/AIDS Library project, which has began with establishment of a HIV/AIDS Library at the FCT School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gwagwalada, Abuja shall be intensified and it is our desire to promote the culture of reading and learning about HIV/AIDS among students, teachers and other professionals in Nigeria. We shall more actively participate in the UN International Day of Peace as well as other UN Days. Our support for the efforts of the United Nations shall remain consistent, and it is our hope to mobilize educators and other professionals to understand the UN Millennium Development Goals. We shall mobilize and train teachers to serve as Millennium Development Educators and shall honor others as Millennium Development Ambassadors in Nigeria.

Emergency Education and our Ability In Disability programs shall be followed up. Our training of teachers and health professionals to work as complementary caregivers shall be continued in the year 2007. We shall launch our Radio/TV show "The Voice of Teachers", and it shall be implemented and will facilitate the realization of our 144,000 Teachers for National Rebirth campaign. As President Umar Musa Yar’Adua aptly puts it, this is the moment of restoration of Nigeria, and as teachers, our roles are indispensable in the task of building a new Nigeria of our collective dreams.

Furthermore, we look forward to our Nigeria Teachers' Conferences on HIV/AIDS Education, Certificate of Teaching Mastery, Community Education, as well as the Conference Of Religious Educators & Leaders 2007(COREL 2007) where we shall present our Lessons for Peace in Nigeria. We shall convene a National Assembly of Nigeria Teachers (NANT) in 2007 to examine contemporary issues of education in Nigeria, especially ICT and the need for a new national policy on education. TWB-Nigeria shall strive toward the realization of Education For All Nigerians, and shall recognize, honor and present special awards for exemplary and distinguished Teachers/Community leaders, and also recognize Corporate Heroes in Nigeria that support educational endeavors. It is our hope to launch a nationwide Community Education Program on the Millennium Development Goals as well as mobilize youths to join the Millennium Development Service Corps.

We shall collaborate with other NGOs as well as governments at local, state and national levels and mobilize support as much as we can to ensure the success of the launched government Universal Basic Education Scheme, and work to battle against corruption in Nigeria. For scholars, we shall seek ways of exposing creative works of Nigerian Teachers: Who is doing what in Nigeria Project. Computer Education for Teachers shall be intensified and we hope to work closely with the Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education to promote Basic/Computer literacy as well as ICT. We shall be establishing a Center for Peace Education in 2007, and we are already developing a Peace Education Curriculum for Schools in Nigeria. Not only shall we teach for the sake of building a culture of peace, we shall intensify our efforts to establish institutions of education for peace and communities of peace.

These are a few of the activities we will want to share with you as the year progresses. If you however need specific details, please, feel free to contact me directly via Raphael@teacherswithoutborders.org. Let us all work together as partners to serve humanity by facilitating the realization of education without borders in our nation. For Nigeria, our dream is to use education to build a new Nigeria Without Borders that will champion the emergence of Africa Without Borders and a new World Without Borders. We envision a world in which every child every where and all times have access to qualitative and quantitative education.

With warmest regards,

Raphael Ogar Oko - Country Coordinator: TWB-Nigeria