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World Bank Pledges Support For FCE
The World Bank has pledged to provide financial support to the Federal College of Education (Technical) at Umunze in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra.
The Team Leader of the bank in Nigeria, Dr Olatunde Adekola, made the announcement in Umunze, after inspecting the bank’s assisted Science and Technology Education Post Basic (STEP-B) project at the college.
He said that the support would enable the institution to commence a vocational training centre for speedy development of human capacities in various technological skills.
According to him, special attention will be given to courses such as engine mechanics, computer and cell phone repairs and electronics among others.
Adekola commended the Provost of the college, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu, for what he described as the proper management of the STEP-B project in the institution.
He advised workers in the institution to rise and set their orientation toward understanding the purpose of their mission in the school.
Adekola said that the workers’ ability to harness the potential of the new scientific and technical knowledge through the vocational training centre would create major source of competitive advantage for them.
“Accordingly, the measure will also bring about wealth creation and improvement in the quality of life of the people,” he stated.
The provost of the college commended the bank for assisting the college in the establishment of the STEP-B Information Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory.
According to Ogbuagu, the STEP-B project has continued to improve human capacity as well as infractstructure development in the college.
“Since the introduction of the STEP-B ICT laboratory in 2010, it has impacted greatly on the lives of the staff, students and even the host community.
“A large number of staff and students are now fully computer literate, they have opened up e-mail addresses through which they communicate with the outside world,” Ogbuagu said.
The provost, however, solicited for more assistance in vocational training and other areas that could help the college immensely in technological and technical education.
He said that the college would soon commence the teaching of ICT education to primary school teachers in the area, noting that the measure would encourage effective teaching and learning in technical education in primary schools.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.