Odita Sunday 
Shona Aluko Urges Teachers to Stay the Course, Guide Children Amid Rising Indiscipline
By Odita Sunday
Former teacher and Mother of the Day, Dr. Yeye Folashade Shona Aluko, has urged teachers to remain committed to their profession and continue guiding children despite the challenges and lack of recognition that may accompany their work.
Aluko gave the charge on Monday at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration for schools across Ikeja, where teachers gathered to celebrate the profession and its contribution to shaping the lives of children.
The celebration, themed “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping Our Future,” featured music, tributes and a presentation of gifts to teachers.
Aluko, who was warmly received on arrival, later joined the teachers on the dance floor, sharing in the celebration and reminiscing about the camaraderie of the classroom.
Reflecting on her experience as a former teacher, she urged teachers not to become discouraged when their efforts appeared unnoticed.
“My advice to teachers is for them to just continue to work. Continue to work. In fact, people may not see you, but don’t bother. Continue to work. One day, God will single you out,” she said.
She described teachers as occupying an important position in the upbringing and development of children, stressing that their responsibility extends beyond academic instruction.
“As a teacher, being the second place of learning in a child’s life, the first place for a child to learn is the home, as a parent. A teacher is also a parent. Let’s do all due diligence to make sure that these children are properly guided,” Aluko said.
She also called on teachers to pay greater attention to culture, discipline and respect among pupils, expressing concern over what she described as growing cases of indiscipline among young people.
“My advice to the teachers is, please, try to teach them culture. A lot of them are misbehaving these days. We see situations where they can even abuse their fathers. Our culture remains our culture. We should not borrow every other culture from outside and bring it here. No matter the condition, teach them how to show respect,” she said.
The call for greater vigilance was reinforced by Chief Dr. Dayo Banjo, Baasegun of Aguda, Lagos, who urged parents and teachers to pay closer attention to the welfare and behaviour of children.
Banjo raised concerns over reports of young people allegedly selling their body organs for money, urging parents and teachers to be more vigilant.
“They should be on the alert and watch their students. They should examine their children because, nowadays, there are reports of young people selling their organs,” Banjo warned.
“What I was saying is that they should watch their children because some youths are now selling their organs for money,” he said, linking the alleged trend to financial pressure.
Banjo further advised parents to pay attention to changes in their children’s behaviour and physical condition.
“When your child comes back, examine the child. Make sure you know what is happening to your child. Don’t let your child go and sell something from his or her own body,” he advised.
He stressed that his warning was intended to draw attention to what he described as a disturbing development rather than to condemn young people.
“Very recently, a boy on our street did the same thing. It was about a month ago. So youths are now selling their organs. The latest, we hear, is selling the kidney, selling the liver, selling everything,” Banjo claimed.
He also urged teachers to see themselves as having a parental responsibility towards their pupils.
“Teachers should look after their wards. Even if they have parents, teachers are also their parents in a way,” he said.
The celebration ended on a festive note with dancing, cheers and the distribution of bags of rice to teachers by Aluko as a gesture of appreciation for their service.
The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on six decades of efforts to protect the teaching profession, improve its status and strengthen its contribution to the education and future of Nigerian children.
About the Author
