It’s not all the time that a teacher’s reward is in heaven — one, Birgitta Okodugha, a mathematics teacher at Asoro Grammar School, Edo State — just got a sum of N500,000 from Godwin Obaseki, Governor of the state.

Three others — mathematics teachers at Edokpolo, Deeper Life and University Preparatory schools — also received N250,000 each from the Governor.

Obaseki also donated N100,000 each to 16 students of different schools for doing the state proud in various local and international mathematics competitions.

The competitions were organised by the Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the National Mathematical Centre (NMC).

Obaseki made the donation when he received executive council members of MAN, Edo Chapter, in Benin on Thursday, saying it was a way to encourage teaching and learning of mathematics.

He expressed appreciation to the association for simplifying the learning of the subject and demystifying the feared subject among students.

He said that he would encourage the association to continue, as meaningful development in the sciences could only be achieved with sound mathematics foundation.

He promised to redeem all pledges made by his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, to the association, within two weeks, and provide them transportation whenever they are travelling for competitions.

He expressed pleasure that majority of the benefiting students are from government-owned Asoro Grammar School.

He promised to find out the secret behind the success of the students, so that he could replicate it in other schools across the state.

Earlier, Lawrence Aguele, a Professor and Chairman of the association, said the association was promoting the learning of mathematics among students and sponsoring teachers for conferences.

He appealed for support from the state government through the provision of a secretariat building and vehicle for movement of pupils to competitions.

Some of the students, Favour Kenya, Victory Ojo and Wise Oghogho, thanked the governor for the donation saying it would help them buy more mathematics books and encourage them to perform better in future competitions.