PUBLIC SHAME: MEET THE EDO TEACHER WHO CAN'T READ OWN CREDENTIALS

It was a drama of sorts during the verification exercise of primary school teachers' certificates in
Edo State on Tuesday as one of the teachers in the state, Mrs. Augusta Odemwingie, could not
read a sworn affidavit she tendered as part of her credentials.
Mrs. Odemwingie teaches at Asologun Primary School, Ikpoba Okha local government area of
Benin City, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who paid an unscheduled visit to the State Staff
Training Centre venue of the exercise was appalled that a teacher could not read, saying "if you
can't read, what do you teach the pupils? What do you write on the board?"
The Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Patrick Ikosimi,
who was also at the screening to monitor the exercise, said the woman's failure was "an
embarrassment."
On arrival at the centre, the governor took time to peruse some of the teachers' credentials and
documents presented.
When Mrs. Odenwingie took her turn during the exercise, the governor who listened to her
defence asked her to read the affidavit she presented.
She stuttered and read the affidavit as if a kindergarten was learning to read, to the
consternation of everybody around.