The Nation Newspaper

Tag: College

  • College gets accreditation in six courses

    Relevant regulatory bodies have accredited six courses being run by the first private health institution in the state, Fabotas College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ado-Ekiti.

    The accrediting agencies included Environmental Health Officers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, Health Records Officers’ Registration Board of Nigeria, Dental Therapist Registration Board of Nigeria and Community Health Practitioners.

    The courses accredited are Community Health Extension Workers, Junior Community Health Extension Workers, Dental Technician; Health Information Technician, Environmental Health Technology and Environmental Health Assistant.

    Speaking on the development at a briefing, President and founder of Fabotas, Boboye Olanipekun, described the feat as “fulfilling for an institution established just three years ago.”

    According to him, the professional health boards and councils took the step after the institution had complied with their terms and conditions for accreditation.

    Olanipekun expressed confidence that all courses being offered will be accredited soon for the college to contribute to manpower development in health institutions.

    He explained that the college had built state-of-the-art laboratory, a model clinic and other practical–oriented structures to be able to impart proper knowledge to the students.

    Olanipekun revealed that the institution had gotten approvals and recognition from health institutions and stakeholders of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti and Ekiti State Hospitals Management Board.

  • Foundation plans N10m auditorium for Ekiti College

    Foundation plans N10m auditorium for Ekiti College

    An education-focused non-profit foundation, Dr Florence Bola Ala Foundation, has unveiled plans to build a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art auditorium, initially valued at N10 million, for the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    The Foundation was set up in memory of late Dr Florence Bola Ala, the first woman Dean of the College.

    The foundation announced the plan to donate the N10 million auditorium at the 22nd convocation of the college while also presenting cash prize awards to deserving graduating students.

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, praised the initiative and urged other individuals and organisations to emulate the foundation.

    Fayose who is the visitor to the college, noted the need for support of well-meaning individuals and organisations for the development of education, while reiterating the commitment of his government to providing necessary resources to sustain the reputation of the state as a fountain of knowledge.

    Handing over cash prize award of N20, 000 and book each to three students of the School of Education and Early childhood Care Education, Mr Abayomi Adeyeri, a member, board of trustees of the foundation, and chief marketing officer of Flobal Trust Limited, said the foundation was committed to partnering with the college in achieving its mandates.

    Adeyeri said the foundation will sustain and build on the initial cash prize awards and further undertake significant special projects of value to the college, including the proposed auditorium to immortalise the late Dr Ala, who was his mother.

    Registrar of the college, Mr Gbenga Ojo, wo received the prizes, appreciated the gesture and expressed the institution’s readiness to partner with the foundation.

    Other dignitaries at the convocation were Chief Afe Babalola, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, who was awarded a fellowship, the newly installed Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adu, and two members of board of trustees of the foundation, Mrs Omoefe Siakpere and Mr Olusoji Fagbemi.

    Florence Bola Ala Foundation supports individuals in need, especially in the area of education.

    Late Dr Ala started teaching at the tertiary level as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Ibadan in 1981.  She also taught at the Oyo State College of Education (1982- 1983) and the Ondo State University (1984-1987). She joined the services of Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti between 1987 and 1990 and she was the first woman Dean there. She thereafter went to the University of Maiduguri in July 1990, where she was a Reader/Associate Professor, until her death.

    The late Ala published more than 10 articles in reputable journals within and outside the country and has about 20 published books that she wrote or co-authored. Her numerous Nursery books published by Evans easily come to mind.

  • Nigerian installed President of U.S. College

    Nigerian installed President of U.S. College

    Change was in the air as 1,000 students, faculty, staff, family and friends from Nigeria cheered the installation of Dr. Benjamin Ola Akande as the 21st President of Westminster College, which was founded 165 years ago.

    Akande is the college’s first black president and the first Nigerian-born president of a liberal arts college in America. He succeeded Dr. George Forsythe, who recently retired after serving for 10 years.

    In his inaugural remarks, Akande, who formerly served as the dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University in St. Louis, said change will be coming to Westminster College.

    “Westminster College will achieve greater significance by empowering learning communities, creating landmark academic programmes, and embracing global opportunities, thereby truly demonstrating the courage of our convictions,” he said.

    Akande encouraged students, faculty, staff, and the Board of Trustees to be open to new ideas that are “bold and forward-looking”.

    During the programme, a new academic partnership between the college and the Oyo State government was announced by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    He said the pact is expected to opens doors for students and faculty from Westminster and colleges and universities in Oyo State.

    Ajimobi named Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso as one of the tertiary institutions in Oyo State to benefit from the pact.

    “This agreement will give Nigeria’s finest and most talented college students the opportunity to study at Westminster, and in turn, Westminster students and faculty will have the opportunity to study and teach at Samuel Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and potentially, other local universities.  This partnership will help our students become globally competitive, and enable them to improve their communities in Nigeria. Such partnerships are vital for academic institutions and for governments in this increasingly globalised era,” he said.

    Ajimobi also praised Akande, saying his inauguration as Westminster College’s new president “is a proud moment for those of us from Oyo State, from Awe, Dr. Akande’s ancestral hometown, and, it is a proud moment for all Nigerians.

    “Throughout Nigeria, Dr. Benjamin Olayinka Akande is becoming a household name, a symbol of excellence, an emblem of the endurance of the American Dream, and its willingness to embrace and reward anyone who is willing to work hard and excel,” he said.

    Akande’s parents, the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. S.T. Ola Akande, also witnessed the installation.

     

  • College bans religious titles, handouts

    It is now an offence for academic and non-academic staff of the College of Education, Ikere Ekiti to use religious, traditional and chieftaincy titles for official purposes.

    Announcing the ban at a pre-convocation press briefing on Monday, the Provost, Prof. Francesca Aladejana, listed such titles to include “Chief”, “Alhaji”, “Pastor”, “Alfa”, “Otunba”, “Elder”, “Prophet”, “Deacon”, among others.

    She ordered workers to stop using such titles for official correspondence and inscriptions on their office doors henceforth “since the college is an academic environment.”

    The provost said the ban became necessary because of abuse of the titles as if to suggest that they were no longer operating in an academic environment.

    She also noted that the ban was to encourage the workers to pursue higher degrees.

    “Some of them were using the titles as cover up. They didn’t want to go for higher degrees. But when I came on board, I stopped all academic and non-academic staff from bearing chiefs, Pastors, Alhajis or whatever. This is an academic environment.  It is either you are Mister or Doctor,” she said.

    Already, Prof Aladejana said the move has proved effective given the number of workers that have enrolled for PhDs.

    “The step I took had really paid off. More than 30 are now pursuing PhDs in various schools. Many had gotten masters degrees and this has improved delivery and qualities of education in the College.

    “I have sent warning signals to them that all I want to hear is Mr. Mrs. or Dr, Prof and so on, we have since discovered that use of such titles is a form of cover-up to achieve what could not be ordinarily achieved,” she said.

    The Provost also announced a ban on the sale or purchase of handouts on campus.

    She said investigations had revealed that many students had become lazy, such that they no longer study or attend lectures but would pass their examinations upon buying handouts from lecturers.

    Prof Aladejana disclosed that the department of quality assurance, which she established, would henceforth ensure that any student or lecturer whose class attendance falls below expectation would face appropriate sanctions.

    “Attendance of students and lecturers are being closely monitored because it is no longer business as usual,” she said.

    Speaking on the institution’s 22nd Convocation coming up today, the provost said 2,348 students would graduate and collect their certificates same day – a departure from the old practice when they were prepared after many years.

    The provost praised Governor Ayo Fayose for retaining her as Provost, despite the fact that she was appointed by his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi.

     

  • Provost pledges support for college council

    Provost pledges support for college council

    The provost of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH) in Igboora, Prof Gbemiga Adewale, has congratulated the chairman and members of the interim Governing Council of the college for their inauguration.

    The council, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education, Mrs Aderonke Makanjuola, was recently inaugurated by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The governor said the composition of the council became necessary, considering the need to boost the standard of education in the state.

    Ajimobi charged the five members of the council to justify the confidence reposed in them by using their wealth of experience to transform the institution.

    Responding, Mrs. Makanjuola pledged the members’ commitment to the vision of the government, saying the council would help the governor to drive his developmental policies to enhance quality education in the state and the college in particular. She promised to justify the confidence reposed in her by the governor.

    Other members of the council include Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Mr David Olatunde, and Acting Director, Higher and Continuing Education, Mrs Foluke Akande, among other.

    The provost pledged support for the council.

  • Provost seeks funding of college

    Provost seeks funding of college

    Members of the Committee on Education of the Anambra State House of Assembly are satisfied with the growth of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State.

    They spoke when they visited the college as part of their tour of higher institutions in the state to evaluate projects. Led by the committee chairperson, Hon. Vivian Okadigbo, the lawmakers hailed the Provost, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, on what they called rapid development of the college.

    After the lawmakers took a tour of the ongoing projects in the college, Okadigbo said technical and vocational education remained critical to solve unemployment riddle and advance technological development. According to her, the visit was to assess facilities to know the needs of higher institutions in the state.

    A lawmaker, Hon. Umeh Ikechukwu, said the assembly members were impressed with the level of development in the college, promising that the lawmaker would maintain cordial relationship with the management.

    Prof Ogbuagu intimated the lawmakers of the challenges facing the college, urging the committee to assist in solving them. According him, the non-release of take-off grant to the college by the Federal Government has hindered the school from providing the necessary facilities needed for academic activities.

    His words: “The access road to the permanent site of the college is terribly in bad condition; to the extent that it has become impassable due to the increased students’ population, resulting from the recent degree-awarding status achieved by the college. The college also lacks an Administrative Block at the permanent site to ensure adequate accommodation of staff. We still operate from the temporary site, while academic activities have since been moved to the permanent site. We need assistance in this regard.”

    On accommodation challenge facing the school, the provost appealed to the committee members for assistance. He said inadequate accommodation on the campus had subjected students to hardship. He called on government to come intervene for the college to provide quality learning.

    Other members of the committee on the tour included Hon. Adaeze Ndubuisi, Hon. Patrick Aniuno, Hon. Ifedioranma Timothy and Hon Uche Okafor.

  • Ekiti lawmakers visit College of Medicine

    Members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Health led by the Chairman, Dr. Samuel Omotosho, have paid a working visit to the Ekiti State University College of Medicine.

    The committee, who toured the facilities in the college okayed the job done at the Biochemistry, Pharmacology departments, Medical Library complex and Animal House.

    Omotoso expressed satisfaction with the accreditation of the College by the National Universities Commission (NUC). He added that the committee wants information on the admission of students into the college and other requirements for its growth.

    The Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Kehinde Oluwadiya, assured them that the  College would leave no stone unturned to ensure quality and standard.

  • Ila College of Education seeks workers’ cooperation

    The Governing Council of the Osun State College of Education, Ila- Orangun, is seeking workers’ cooperation in its task to further develop the profile of the college.

    The Chairman, Governing Council Mr. Niyi Akande, made the appeal at a meeting with extended management and the executives of the staff unions of the institution.

    According to Akande, the state government and the Council are committed to the welfare of the college staff. He expressed optimism that the ongoing crisis in the institution would soon be over as government is “passionately looking into all their requests.”

    Akande said the focus of the Council is to ensure the repositioning of academic standard of the college and also to ensure that there is sanity in its administrative system.

    Earlier, the Chairman Senior Staff Union in College of Education, Dr. Lai Oparinde, had pledged support for the Council.

    According to him, the union would not shield any staff who is guilty of corruption.

     

  • College re-opens after violence

    The Federal College of Education (FCE) in Abeokuta, Ogun State re-opened last Friday after about three weeks closure. The school was shut last month, following the violence that trailed the Students’ Union Government (SUG) elections.

    Students were slammed with N200 fine each for reparation; they are also required to submit a letter of good conduct as part of the conditions laid down by the management for resumption.

    The Provost, Dr Adetayo Ajayi, condemned the violence, describing it as an attack on the management. He advised the students to explore peaceful means to channel their complaints, promising the management would respond instantly.

    Ajayi said the panel of investigation set up by the school found out that the union election process was faulty. He said there was a preference in selection of the electoral committee members and production of unapproved ballot papers.

    The provost said when the ballot papers were re-counted, it was discovered that the ballot cast at the School of Science was faultless, while error was detected in the votes of schools of Arts and Social Science. He promised the management would address the irregularities.

    The provost extended the school academic calendar by two weeks and postponed the examination to October 12.

    Members of the panel include Deputy Provost, Dr Bolatito Adeniji; Registrar, Mr Rafiu Akinola, and Deans of Faculties, Directors of various departments, members of the Academic Board, officials of the Students’ Affairs Division, and outgoing union leaders.

  • College hosts American varsity’s brightest graduate

    College hosts American varsity’s brightest graduate

    A reception has been held in Plateau State for 20-year-old, Tobi Adebisi, who graduated at the top of his class at University of Michigan, United States.

    The ceremony held at the Nigerian College of Accountancy, Kwall, near Jos, the state capital.

    Tobi, son of the Director-General of the college, Prof Joseph Femi Adebisi, was the best student in Computer Science and also overall best at the University of Michigan, Flint.

    On May 3, the younger Adebisi was among 750 graduates of the university. His academic performance earned him applause from the institution, which recognised his dedication to class work, work ethics and professionalism.

    He graduated with a GPA of 4.0. His major area of specialisation is App Designing.

    His parents flew to US to witness his graduation. One of his lecturers said: “Tobi did not just want to receive knowledge, but wanted to explore and experiment and it has got him far.”

    He served as the President of the Association of Computing Machinery, and as Vice President of African Students Association and member of UM -Flint Student Government and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

    The high-flyer was not just glued to school work; he mixed quite well.

    Tobi said: “I love people. I like building relationships. I enjoy relationships with others close to me. But that will not clash with my interest in my academic practice. I like a lot of research; it enables me to know what I never knew. I learnt a lot by watching many videos online about computer science and app designing. Then I make use of people and resources around me to grow my skills.

    “My future ambition is not just to limit myself to app designing, I want to come up with an idea that will help the growth and development of my country, Nigeria. I want to initiate a technology that (will move) the whole world. I want to build a name like Bill Gates in the computer world, I want to own my own technology with which I will not only make a living but change the world of computer.”