‘I Will Stay True To My Calling Till I Die’ ; Nigeria’s Longest Serving Teacher (Photos)

John Chukwuemeka Nwafor who hails from Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Council of Imo State recently celebrated 60 years of active service in the classroom.

The teacher has been a primary school teacher for 60 years now, becoming the oldest primary school teacher in the country.

He has taught and still teaches Mathematics and Physical Education, in many schools, both public and private. He taught some of today’s personalities in Nigeria and others sojourning in other countries, including a former Super Eagles player and PSG defender, Godwin Opkara.

As an athlete in the 1960s, winning many trophies, he was nick-named by his fans and admirers as ‘404’, and he equally functioned as games master in many of the schools he has taught.

He said this to mark the great achievement;

What I’m celebrating today is the God’s-given privilege to discover my vocation early on and to stay true to it.

The blessings I count in this 60 years celebration are as numerous as the faces of over 6,000 children I have had the opportunity to instruct.

Today, when I look back at the reason I chose to dedicate myself to teaching, I feel fulfilled.

I am glad I have spent 60 years of my life impacting knowledge, values & true north principles to children who have gone to achieve success in different fields of endeavor.

It’s incredible how time flies. It seems like yesterday when I first stepped into the classroom as a teacher on 1st January, 1958. 1 was only 18.

Looking back, I can say with all gratitude to God, it’s been 60 years of staying true to my calling: 60 years of shaping destinies and molding the beginning of numerous professionals: 60 years of teaching over 6,000 Nigerian kids.

May God continue to strengthen me as I stay true to my calling till I die.