RESSA CEO Festus Champions Teacher Land Ownership

By Love Oyedokun

LAGOS – The Chief Executive Officer of Real Estate Synergy Support Associate RESSA, Festus Uko, issued a powerful call for systemic prioritization of Nigerian teachers, declaring that building tomorrow’s leaders is impossible if their educators lack peace of mind.

Cablenews24 reports that Uko who spoke passionately during the RESSA 2025 Annual Teachers’ “Must Be Landowners” summit, held in Lagos, drawing a stark contrast with global best practices, highlighted Finland’s approach:

“They have a special seat for teachers in their buses, and if you are not a teacher, you don’t sit there. Teachers get discounts in markets with special debit cards. If we prioritize teachers like this, why wouldn’t they put in their best effort?”

Festus directly linked educator well-being to national progress, stating, “Peace of mind is the father of all creativity.” He referenced Bishop Oyedepo’s philosophy: “When a man becomes creative, he becomes productive. When you become productive, you become successful. But you must give a man purpose.”

“Purpose is the road,” Festus emphasized. “When people say ‘show me the road,’ they mean ‘show me the purpose.’ Give a teacher a clear purpose, and they will be committed. Don’t complain about lack of commitment if you haven’t given them the purpose of being a teacher. It’s a simple metric.”

The RESSA CEO expressed deep concern about the current state of education management, calling the level of “disdain or ignorance” alarming. “Education is light,” he stated, connecting societal ills like rampant traffic misbehaviour to a lack of enlightenment. He shared an anecdote from Mauritius, where drivers exhibit patience and rarely use horns, contrasting it sharply with Nigerian road culture where “a yellow bus will stop in front of you without signaling – a display of ignorance.”

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“Information brings transformation,” Festus asserted. “If we need transformation, then we must bring education to the forefront and make it a priority.” He invoked the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy and its lasting positive impact, questioning the current trajectory: “Why are people not giving free education again? Why are we messing around with education?”

Stephen Kojo Sackey, representing the Federation of the Aboriginal Nations of America.

Stephen Kojo Sackey, representing the Federation of the Aboriginal Nations of America (FANA), in his keynote address called for intensified African collaboration, citing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 on partnerships as the critical pathway to overcoming continental challenges like the housing deficit. He emphasized that partnership is not merely beneficial but essential for achieving the UN’s broader development goals.

He stated that it requires breaking down national barriers, streamlining stifling bureaucracy, and forging powerful partnerships across the continent and globally, insisting that it’s only through this collaborative spirit, embodied in the UN’s goals, can Africa build a stable foundation for its booming population and its economic future.

Kojo Sackey while admitting that the housing crisis is global, cited UN data showing that 238 million people lack adequate shelter. He highlighted the looming challenge for Nigeria specifically, projecting a population of 400 million by 2050.

“‘Housing deficit is a global challenge, not limited to Nigeria alone… This calls for collaboration and partnership. Governments, private entities, and civil society organizations… must partner effectively.'”

“For teachers specifically, Sackey argued that reducing the bureaucratic red tape around land acquisition and funding is critical. He stressed that professionals like educators need tangible support to become property owners. His organization, FANA, positioned itself as a global partner ready to offer resources and guidance.

“‘Reduce the bureaucratic arrangements… Governments must partner with organizations… FANA… wants to collaborate… unlock opportunities… Teachers… should be empowered to know they need and can own property… If people do not have decent accommodation, they will not be able to support the economic development agenda.'”

Sackey commended the CEO of RESSA,  Ibiam Festus Uko for the annual summit and championing the cause to ensure that the most often underpaid but yet most important professionals in society have a place to call their own with peace of mind.

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