Education
New Provost Promises To Build On Predecessors’ Legacies
The new Provost, Federal College of Education, (FCE) Eha-Amufu in Enugu State, Mrs Pauline Ikwuegbu says she will do her best to build on legacies of her predecessors
Ikwuegbu, the first female provost of the college made the pledge last Saturday at the inaugural ceremony to officially welcome her to the college after her appointment on June 22, 2018.
She said with the cooperation of staff and students, her administration would take the college to enviable heights through academic excellence.
“I will build on the legacies of my predecessors in FCE and with your cooperation together we will take the college to an enviable height.
“I want to assure you that all the challenges facing the college are surmountable with your support, I am equal to the task by the special grace of God,” she said.
The provost said some problems like lean internally generated revenue, shortfall in subvention from Federal Government as well as shortages in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) were threats to education advancement not only in the college.
“As a teacher with over 25 years of experience, with team work and unalloyed support, we will overcome these challenges and achieve all our set goals,” she said.
The provost said her administration would operate an open door policy and would be ready to welcome constructive criticism that would help move the college forward.
“Do feel free to come to me, as my administration will operate an open door policy as well as welcome constructive criticism that will help move the college forward,” she said.
In his remarks, the Registrar of the college, Mrs Ngozi Nnebedum, said the appointment of Ikwuegbu as provost was historic as she was the first female provost since 37 years the college was established.
“There is jubilation by the college community especially womenfolk who see her appointment as breaking the jinx of male provost monopoly in the college since the institution was established.’’
“I am assuring her that staff and students of the college will give her every necessary support to ensure that her administration achieved its set goals,.
“We are indeed grateful to the college governing council for recommending Ikwuegbu to the appropriate government authorities as the new provost of FEC,” she said.
In a remark, Mr John Nebo, the Chairman of the inauguration committee said the new provost appointment was unique as she was not only the first female provost but the first non-indigene of Enugu State to be appointed provost in the college.
“The positive impact of the new provost is already being felt with the recent approval of the college as a degree awarding institution,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ikwuegbu replaced Prof. Ben Mbah, whose tenure expired in March
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Councils of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa.
At the ceremony on Thursday in Calabar, the Governor urged the members to drive institutional excellence, ensure accountability, and align with global best practices.
Governor Otu acknowledged that UNICROSS had long suffered from what many perceived as gross neglect, particularly in terms of physical development.
“After a deep thought and consultation, and having considered all available facts and evidence, I am today opening a new chapter in the relationship between government and its institutions of higher education,” the Governor declared.
He emphasised that while his administration is committed to a renewed focus on higher education, this attention must be matched with transparency and responsibility by the universities’ management.
The same expectation, he said, applies to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa.
Governor Otu stated that the appointments into both councils and management were carefully considered and reflect the state’s finest minds and seasoned professionals.
“I have taken pains in appointing some of the best that the State has in both the Governing Councils and Management of the institutions. I implore you to apply your wealth of experience in making the institutions world-class,” he charged.
He also stressed the importance of respecting the distinct roles of Councils and management, pointing out that most university problems emanate from role conflict or interference. He tasked each of the councils to stick strictly to its clearly defined functions.
The Governor encouraged council members to leverage their networks to attract new sources of funding and value to their institutions.
“Do not limit yourselves to already known threads of resource sources.”, he said.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has announced a 50 percent reduction in tuition fees for all Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions, describing it as a major step toward removing barriers to higher education.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University Chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union, the Governor said the policy has made it easier for students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university education in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the students for presenting him with the Sword of Honour Award and for recognising the achievements of his administration, which were highlighted during the event’s public lecture.
He promised, “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course.’’
The Governor advised students not to allow agents of disunity and chaos to use them to destabilize their communities and steer them away from their career goals.
Governor Sani reminded the students and lecturers at the event that ‘’no meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust.’’
However, he said that ‘’going by your conduct over the period that I have been at the helm of affairs of our state so far, you are reliable partners of progress and I can count on you every step of the way.’’
The governor recalled that Kaduna State was under siege owing to the insecurity in some of the local government areas, which had dire consequences on agricultural and business activities.
He noted that the security challenges have now been drastically reduced owing to the combined commitment of security agencies, resulting in safer high ways, people returning to farms and the opening of local markets.
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The governor further said that the Birnin Gwari cattle market which had been closed for over 10 years, has been reopened, so have the other markets in security challenged areas in Giwa local government.
The management of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic,Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has admitted 1,882 fresh students to study various courses and programmes for the 2024)2024 academic session.
This announcement was made by the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Moses Neebee during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the institution held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
Dr Neebee described convocation as an annual rituals of every institution used to mark the end of admission process, adding that the polytechnic has recorded some academic milestones and achievements.
According to him, the institution recorded 100 percent in the just concluded NABTE accreditation and resources visitation exercise, adding that all the 24 courses presented by the institution during the accreditation were approved including the almighty Diploma in Law.
According to the admission statistics provided by the Rector,1,510 students were admitted for the National Diploma programmes ,while 372 students were offered admission into the Higher National Diploma and part programmes of the polytechnic.
The Rector while congratulating the matriculants urged them to take their studies seriously and ensure that they pass through the institution and as well allow the institution pass through them and not only in learning but also in character.
“ Let me congratulate you all for your successes to scale through the rigorous hurdles of our admission processes. Take advantage of the various technical and entrepreneur skills in the school to equip your self which will make yourselves employed and be better equipped in the society”, he said.
The Rector warned them to desist from any activities that will jeopardise their academic success, stressing that the school has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and sexual abuse.
He used the opportunity to thank the state government for the support given to the school especially in the areas of infrastructure development.