A philanthropist and chairman of the Biiranee Memorial Foundation, Chief Kelvin Biiranee, has reaffirmed that education remains the greatest investment any society can make.
He therefore called on teachers to embrace discipline, integrity, professionalism and ethical values in raising a generation of responsible leaders capable of transforming Ogoniland and Nigeria.
Biiranee, who is also the Mene Eedee I of Bua-Zaakpon, spoke in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday.
He reaffirmed that education remains the greatest investment any society can make, calling on teachers to embrace discipline, integrity, professionalism and ethical values in raising a generation of responsible leaders capable of transforming Ogoniland and Nigeria.
The philanthropist said his passion for investing in education economy is because people perish for lack of knowledge, stressing that sustainable community development can only be achieved through quality education and deliberate investment in human capital.
Sharing his life story to inspire participants, Chief Biiranee recounted how he hawked local snacks for his mother for about 10 years—from primary two until his secondary school days—while pursuing his education.
He explained that despite his humble background, discipline, determination and quality education enabled him to excel academically, serve as Head Boy of Government Commercial Secondary School, Bori, study Accounting at the University of Port Harcourt and build a successful banking career spanning over twenty-five years.
“There is nothing about your background that should limit what you can become,” he said. “What made the difference in my life was education, discipline and dedication. That is why I have chosen to give back by investing in the education of our people.”
He urged teachers to become worthy role models by demonstrating punctuality, honesty, accountability and commitment in the classroom.
“If school starts by 8 a.m., teachers should already be in the classroom before that time. Discipline is doing what is right even when you have no reason to do it. Our children must learn not only Mathematics and English but also values such as respect, hard work, honesty and responsibility.”
He said the Foundation’s development agenda extends beyond education to healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship support, family values and community peace.
According to him, the Foundation has established a community health facility providing free healthcare services for vulnerable residents, supported small businesses through financial interventions, promoted agricultural development, expanded scholarship opportunities and continued to empower young people through various initiatives aimed at reducing crime and unemployment.
He also reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to sustaining peace and security within Bua-Zaakpon, insisting that violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms have no place in the community.
“We want our community to remain peaceful. Development thrives where there is peace. Every stakeholder must join hands in building a secure and progressive Bua-Zaakpon,” he stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the vice president of the Awedu Institute of Business Management and Leadership, Dr. Lenu Wege, described teachers as the foundation upon which every successful society is built.
He said the “Train the Trainers” initiative was conceived to strengthen teachers’ professional competence and ethical standards, noting that no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers.
Wege explained that the workshop focused on two major themes—Professional Ethics and Conduct for Teachers and Effective Teaching Methods and Lesson Delivery Skills—to equip educators with modern learner-centred teaching techniques capable of improving classroom performance and learning outcomes.
He commended Chief Biiranee and the Biiranee Memorial Foundation for their unwavering commitment to educational development, describing the sponsorship of the workshop, scholarships and other educational interventions as visionary investments in the future of Ogoniland.
“The impact of educating one teacher extends to hundreds of learners, their families and generations yet unborn,” he said.
One of the resource persons, Dr. Biobele Richard Briggs, Chief Lecturer in the Department of Business Administration and Management at Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, delivered a paper titled “Professional Ethics and Conduct for Teachers in Rural Communities.”
He charged teachers to uphold integrity, honesty, confidentiality, accountability and respect in all their professional engagements.
