TEARS OF HONOUR: OYO NUT CELEBRATES RACHAEL ALAMU, PRINCIPAL AND ORIIRE SURVIVOR, AS HERO OF TEACHERS' STRUGGLE

There were tears of honour and standing ovations in Ibadan today as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, celebrated Mrs. Rachael Alamu, Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire LGA, and other teachers as heroes of the teachers' struggle.

Mrs. Alamu is one of the 46 victims abducted on May 15, 2026, when bandits attacked three schools - Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School - in Oriire Local Government. d0bb

She and 38 pupils and 6 other teachers were held for 56 days inside the Old Oyo National Park before their rescue on July 10, 2026. The union recalled that two teachers - Michael Oyedokun and Adesiyan Adegboye - were lost in the incident. 

For teachers in Oyo State, Mrs. Alamu is not just a survivor, she is a hero. During the ordeal, she protected her pupils, kept them alive under the sun and rain, and showed uncommon courage - even when forced to appear in videos by the abductors.

At today's World Teachers' Day celebration, NUT described her as a symbol of what a true teacher is: selfless, brave, and committed to children even in the face of death.

The union said the celebration was to honour her resilience, mourn fallen colleagues, and remind the government that teachers need better protection in schools.

Mrs. Alamu, who broke down in tears while being celebrated, had previously narrated how "it was a harrowing experience... but we knew Nigerians were praying for us".

The event ended with prayers for the families of the slain teachers and a renewed call for improved security in Oyo schools.

TopTori News | Oyo State