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Tag: Provost

  • ‘Provost’s claims of threat to life untrue’

    ‘Provost’s claims of threat to life untrue’

    • My impeachment illegal, says SU President
    • By Bayo Ademola

    Staff of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, under the aegis of Concerned Staff have described as untrue,baseless and unfounded, claims by the Provost Dr Wahab Ademola Azeez that his life was under threat.

    In a statement, the Concerned Staff said there was no threat to his life. They stated that they only locked up his office and those of other management members since May 27, since  his tenure had ended as the provost of the college.

    “His tenure has clearly ended in accordance to Federal Colleges of Education amended act signed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. His claims of a threat to his life are baseless and unfounded. The union has simply collectively locked his office and issued a quit notice, asserting he no longer holds entitlement to the luxuries of his former position.

    “The absence of a genuine voice and meaningful participation in decision-making processes underscores the urgent need for reform and a return to principles of transparency and shared governance within our college, and this is where we are presently.

    “Furthermore, we are deeply concerned about the Minister of Education’s delay in addressing the ongoing crisis at the College. All union executives and staff members have unanimously voiced their refusal to be governed by the Provost any longer. It is clear that the entire staff body has rejected the Provost’s continued tenure. Why is the minister hesitating to take decisive action? It may be hinged on the provost boast about having the full support of the minister. He once openly declared that the Minister of Education cannot stop his second term bid and that he has influenced the minister so as for him to stay action on the act and elongate his tenure.

     “On the June 12, the minister sent a three-man panel to ascertain the state of things. They got first hand information and even decried the collapse of infrastructures in the institution and took  supportive evidence as they went round the college and the hostels, till date nothing has been heard from the minister. 

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    “Any attempt by the authorities concerned to disregard this serious call from staff members on this matter, or any attempt to subvert justice will be vehemently opposed by the staff members.

    It is crucial, therefore, that immediate steps are taken to resolve this imbroglio by giving us an acting provost pending when another substantive provost would be appointed,” it said.

    Meanwhile, the impeached Student Union Government President of the college,  Dauda Yusuf Olatunji, has described the process that led to his removal as illegal and undemocratic.

    He vowed to do all possible within the law to regain his position for the benefit of the college and the entire students.

    He said he  was the only one removed few days ago among 17-member led SUG executive of the college over allegation of supporting the provost.

    He also said that he was accused of receiving N5million from the provost just for the SUG to support him.

    According to him, those who carried out his illegal removal failed to give him fair hearing before taking  the decision.

    He explained that he wrote for fair hearing but it was discountenanced by the Speaker with the aid of the Students Affairs’  and others saying it can’t be reverted.

    Olatunji expressed worry that his life and academic progress  in  the college is now being threatened due to the unfolding events.

    The Federal College of Education Technical has been embroiled in crisis since May.

  • Provost warns students against cultism

    The Provost, Federal College of Education Eha-Amufu (FCEE), Enugu State, Dr. Pauline Ikwuegbu, has warned the students to shun cultism and anti-social behaviours or face expulsion.

    Ikwuegbu spoke during the matriculation of 1,700 National Certificate of Education (NCE) students and the 311 who were the first batch of the school’s degree programmes.

    The school is awarding degrees in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

    She said: “Any student caught involved in cultism or any anti-social behaviour will be expelled. Remain focused on your studies as the school authority will not spare any student involved in cultism or anti-social behaviours.

    “The college will give students necessary encouragement and support to enable them actualise their dreams.

    “The 25th matriculation is unique in two ways – this is the first time we are matriculating the first batch of degree students who will be awarded UNN degrees on graduation, and the first time a female provost will be conducting matriculation since the college was established in 1981.

    “FCEE is grateful to UNN for accepting the affiliation request and to the National University Commission (NUC) for approving the college to run degree programmes.

    “Workers, students and management are excited on this historic achievement.”

    Prof. Ozumba, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Dominic Ngwoke, urged the students to be focused as UNN was known for academic excellence nationally and internationally.

    “UNN has zero tolerance for cultism, exam malpractice and violence, and will not hesitate to take disciplinary actions against students who violate its rules and regulations.

    “The institution is known nationally and internationally for academic excellence, so avoid anything that will dent its reputation. “UNN praised the provost and management of the college for their efforts in meeting terms and conditions for the affiliation,” he said.

  • Provost leads campaign on work ethics

    The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State, Dr Tessy Okoli, has unerscored the need for a new orientation to work ethics and compliance to Civil Service rules among workers.

    She said the performance deficit witnessed in the public sector could be reversed with regular training and sensitisation programmes.

    Okoli said this at a workshop on work ethics for staff organised by the College in collaboration with the National Commission of Colleges of Education (NCCE) and an educational consultancy firm, SEFAN Consult.

    The Provost said at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Auditorium that the Staff Audit Committee and Certificate Verification Committee of the NCCE observed some flaws during their last visit to the College and called for a training on Civil Service Rules, ethical values and dress code.

    “In an attempt to ensure harmony in work place, the NCCE recommended among others a sensitisation workshop where staff would be updated on crucial issues bothering on: Attitude to Work, Conditions of Service, Financial Management and Staff Development,” she said.

    She said the college assembled a crop of resource persons with seasoned experiences to retrain staff on acceptable rules of work and warned that the college would not tolerate non-compliance to ethical values any further.

    The Provost assured the workers that the College management would continue to reward diligent staff by introducing welfare packages and other incentives to encourage hard work.

    “Workers displaying good work ethics are considered for higher positions and more responsibilities. Such people are honest, responsible, reliable and dependable assets to this institution,” she said.

    Also, NCCE Executive Secretary, Prof Bappa-Aliyu Muhammadu, praised the College for organising the workshop and urged the participants to utilise the exercise to increase their knowledge and competence in key areas.

    Muhammadu, who was represented by the Director, Personnel Management, NCCE, Mrs Jumai Suleiman, stressed the need for civil servants to abide by ethical values. He also called on civil servants to cultivate the virtues of selflessness in the discharge of duties, honesty, obedience and dedication to duties.

    Some of the resource persons from the NCCE were: Deputy Director, Personnel Management, Mr Babatunde Aremu; and Assistant Chief Personnel Officer, Establishment, Malam Abdullahi Alhassan.

    Also present were the former Dean, Political Science Department, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Prof Obiajulu Obikeze; Prof Vincent Onwe of the Federal University of Agriculture Umudike; Prof Steve Ibenta, former Dean, faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka; Mr Ifeanyi Mogbo, Chief Executive Officer, SEFAN Consult; and Mrs Gloria Amaefuna, Deputy Registrar, Directorate of Degree Programme, FCE(T) Asaba.

    In a paper, titled: “Attendance: punctuality, staff development, discipline, examination malpractice, staff/students relationship and dress code”, Obikeze frowned at the truancy of some civil servants.  He noted that for any organisation to thrive, punctuality and discipline must be taken seriously.

    Speaking on the topic, “Conditions for promotion, upgrading and annual evaluations, conditions for transfer, conversion and secondment”, Mrs Amaefula urged workers to take advantage of various platforms available to improve their skills in order to remain relevant in the system.

    One of the participants, Jacy Nwankwo, said she learnt a lot from the workshop and thanked the Provost for organising the event. More commendation came from Nwokonkwo Ugochi Jane working in the College Library Unit, who described the workshop as insightful and enlightening.

    While applauding the initiative, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Psychology, Abubakar Muhammed Sanni said it would make him more productive.

    “The workshop was commendable. Attending it has increased my knowledge and consciousness towards being more efficient and effective in job performance. I thank the college management for this laudable programme. More power to your elbow,” he said.

  • Provost seeks varsity upgrade for college of education

    Provost of the Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe (NOCEN), Anambra State, Dr Ifeyinwa Osegbo has appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to upgrade the College into a University of Education.

    Osegbo made the appeal at the 19th convocation of the institution where over 800 graduates of the institution were conferred with the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Professional Diploma in Education (PDE).

    She said the conversion would not only enhance the strength of the staff and students of the institution, but also boast its Internally Generated Revenue.

    “The upgrade will boost the strength of the institution, staff and students and also increase the Internally Generated Revenue of the college,” she said.

    Commending the governor for his commitment to the staff and students’ welfare, including the construction of internal roads within the institution, Osegbo urged him to construct hostels to reduce accommodation hardship faced by students.

    Addressing the graduates, the Provost urged them to see their convocation as call to duty and a mark to the end of dependence on their families.

    She further challenged them to use the knowledge acquired as weapon of survival and excellence in their field of endeavours.

    In his address, Obiano restated his administration’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunity for the citizens of the state.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary and Science Education, Prof Theresa Obiekezie, the gGvernor disclosed that more roads have been awarded for construction within the institution, while perimeter fencing would soon commence to enhance security.

    “Education remains a pillar and an enabler in my administration to ensure that all citizens receive equal opportunity in education,” he said.

    He lauded the staff and students of the college for their dedication to lecture and studies, pledging to provide scholarships to indigent students in the college.

    The event featured the award of college prizes to six deserving graduates, including Miss Marycynthia Mmaduchebe, a graduate of Biology/Chemistry who emerged the overall best student for 2018 academic session.

  • College trembles over provost, workers’ face-off

    The ambition of the Acting Provost of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, Dr. Dan Anyanwu, to join the race for the job is causing disaffection among workers.

    Before now, the workers acted under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC),  comprising the College of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU; Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education of Nigeria, SSUCOEN; and the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU to fight for their cause.

    However, Anyanwu’s decision has divided the JAC into two camps with the  one led by Dr Benjamin Nwokedi, asking Anyanwu to step down.

    The Nwokedi camp has been on strike for two weeks to agitate for its demand, despite a letter reportedly from the Education Minister Malam Adamu Adamu, stating the procedure for a substantive provost’s  appointment.

    The faction disrupted the ongoing examination in the college to force out the Anyanwu, threatening to ground academic and other activities until its demand is met.

    The Ministry had, in  a February 9 letter with Reference number SAF.36/5.465/VII/21, signed by the Director of Tertiary Education, J. S. Ojo, stated that Anyanwu’s ambition was in order.

    The letter reads in part: “Neither the Act establishing Federal Colleges of Education nor the conditions of service for Colleges of Education exclude an Acting Provost or any interested and qualified candidate from aspiring for the office of the Provost.”

    The Minister’s directive only excluded the Acting Provost from “attending any meeting of the Governing Council/Joint Selection Board where a decision on the appointment of a substantive Provost is being taken”.

    The Nwokedi-led JAC played an active role in the removal of the immediate past Provost, Dr Blessing Ijioma, over allegations of over age and tenure expiration.

    The Nation gathered that the group is allegedly agitating for a region in the state to produce the next provost, having not produced one since the institution’s establishment.

    Condemning the group, the college management, in a statement, noted: “The college is in the middle of her first semester examinations and as such, any call for strike is a calculated attempt to disrupt the academic calendar and punish the students for selfish reasons.”

    It added: “Moreover, a union must only go on strike for reasons affecting the welfare of staff and not for reasons obviously not within the purview of the group or persons under the mask of the unions.”

    Also, COEASU Assistant Secretary Dr Johnson Ofoegbu dismissed the demand as illegal and self-serving, urging the JAC to concentrate on “staff welfare and not the politics of who becomes the Provost of the college”.

    Ofoegbu in a statement said: “As one of the principal members of the union and having followed the recent happenings in our college, we have told Dr. Nwokedi (factional JAC Chairman) severally that there is no public service rules that say that an Acting Provost should step down because he applied to become substantive Provost.  Neither did the National Commission for Colleges of Education stipulate that an Acting Provost vacates office because he or she applied to become substantive provost.

    “The letter of appointment given to the Acting Provost and which was read to all staff at the college pavilion last year after the removal of Dr Ijioma, the former Provost, reads that the Acting Provost should act until the substantive provost is appointed. The letter didn’t say anything about the duration of the acting capacity. I don’t know where Nwokedi got the letter of six months’ acting capacity he was quoting. He has parochial and tribal interest and he is using COEASU and other unions to pursue that”.

    However, Nwokedi denied the allegations. He said his faction’s intervention was necessitated by complaints that the process could be compromised with the entry of Anyanwu.

    According to him, it has been the tradition in the college that Acting Provosts aspiring to become the substantive Provost must step down and hand over to the most senior lecturer to allow for a level-playing ground for all aspirants, adding: “This practice is peculiar to us in Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education because what is good for us may not be good for others.”

    On the Minister’s directive, he explained: “We are aware of a letter purportedly written by the Minister of Education, but we are yet to authenticate it.”

    Efforts by The Nation to get Anyanwu to speak on the matter were futile.

    However, this reporter gathered that the management was planning to implement the “no-work-no-pay” policy.

    The decision of the management is contained in a letter to the state’s Director in the Ministry of Labour, in which it accused Nwokedi’s group of inciting the workers  against the management for ‘selfish reasons and delving into matters that are not within the roles of unions.’

    On Tuesday, when The Nation visited the college, examination was ongoing.  However, this reporter observed that many offices were locked and very few workers were at their desk.

  • Rewrite MOCPED’s history, Provost tells new students

    A total of 493 new students running both part-time and full-time programmes at the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Noforija Epe Lagos, have taken the oath of matriculation of the institution.

    At the matriculation, the Provost, Dr Nosiru Olajide Onibon, urged them to be good ambassadors of the first college of primary education in Nigeria.

    Onibon said the institution was established in December 1994 to be a dynamic college of higher learning focusing on capacity building in basic and primary education. He urged the new students to key into this mission by rewriting MOCPED’s history.

    He said: “I want to let you know that you have a big role to play in this vision to re-write the history of our college through your image making. You are expected to be good ambassadors of the college throughout your stay and beyond.”

    He said the institution was one of the best in the country due to its facilities and quality manpower.

    He assured the students that the management was determined to improve infrastructure, despite the economic challenges.He said the college would soon aunch its online results issuance platform.

    “In recent times, the management has greatly improved its ICT facilities and I am glad to inform you of its readiness to commence the implementation of the online results solutions. I, therefore, urge all stakeholders to provide necessary support towards the smooth take-off of the e-result solution,” he said.

    The new students were drawn from across the five schools in the college-Arts and Social Sciences, Primary Education, Languages, Science as well as Vocational Studies.

     

  • Provost seeks reform in education sector

    Provost seeks reform in education sector

    The Provost of Kwara College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, Alhaji Alhassan Ishiaku, has advocated for pragmatic reforms in the education sector to galvanise the nation’s socio-political and economic development.

    Ishiaku spoke yesterday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of the state.

    The provost called on the three tiers of government to continue to commit themselves to pursuing education reforms that would address the needs of the population.

    “Teachers are undoubtedly the key actors in any reform process in the education sector and, therefore, must be adequately involved in the process.

    “The quality of education anywhere depends solely on the quality of teachers since no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,’’ he said.

    Describing education as an inalienable right of every citizen, the educationist stressed the need for the government to ensure affordable and sustainable education for the citizenry.

    Ishiaku also advised the government to provide necessary infrastructure and facilities to guarantee a steady flow of teachers in the school system.

    He suggested that the pre-service and in-service training programmes for teachers should be entrenched into the system while more incentives be introduced to boost teachers’ morale for effective service delivery.

  • I’ll turn MOCPED to world-class institution, says Provost

    I’ll turn MOCPED to world-class institution, says Provost

    The Acting Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Dr Nosiru Olajide Onibon has promised to turn the college to a world-class institution.

    At the matriculation 493 students of the institution at Noforija, Epe, he also promised to manage the affairs of the institution to the satisfaction of the government and good people of Lagos State.

    Onibon congratulated the students, saying they should count themselves lucky because the admission process was keen.

    He urged them to see sky as their limit.

    “Today, the college is matriculating 493 students. Let me. Sincerely appreciate the efforts of the academic board, the three unions, committees and all staff. Today is the product of your commitment and we are determined to move the college forward in spite of the challenges facing this institution. Let me assure you that I am here to collaborate with you and make this institution one of the best in the world.

    “To our matriculating students, let me inform you that your admission into this college exposes you to certain rights and privileges and also requires that you live up to expectations by obeying existing rules and regulations to enjoy you stay in the college,” he said.

    Onibon said part of the vision and mission of the college is to build a dynamic institution of higher learning for capacity building.

    Onibon said 81 full time and 89 part time students were admitted into Arts and Social Science, 41 students made the Primary Education list, 89 were admitted into the language class, science had 70 students, while those admitted for vocational class were 123 number.

    Addressing over 2,000 parents, staff and well-wishers at the well-attended ceremony, he promised to ensure improved academic excellence, research, human resources development as well as structural development, among others.

    The school, he said, has zero tolerance for laziness, campus and off campus hooliganism and advised the students to always follow the legitimate channels of communication during the period of their stay in the college.

    “Let me say that the door of the college is open at all times for discussions that will promote peace in this school,” he said.

    Onibon sought the support of the union, academic board, college committee, parents, and all stakeholders.

    Some of the parents praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for appointing Onibon as the Provost of the college.

    A parent, Chief Gbenga Alaka said Dr Onibon’s appointment was a “round peg in a round hole,” and urge staff and students of the school to support him in his efforts to make the college a world-class institution.

  • Okwii is new WATS provost

    Okwii is new WATS provost

    The West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) has installed Prof. John Okwii as its new provost.

    The Ugandan became the new head of the leading theological institution last week.

    In his acceptance speech, Okwii promised to be a servant leader who will always be approachable to all lecturers, students, non-teaching staff and stakeholders of the institution.

    He pledged to take WATS to the next level through innovative policies and programmes designed to give theological education a facelift.

    Okwii unveiled a 20-point agenda for the institution, promising to commit to research and training, curriculum development and spiritual formation, among others.

    According to him: “We intend to make this Seminary strong in research, citation and international visibility. Between 2018 and 2022, WATS will be producing a minimum of five internationally validated and reasonably acclaimed professors.

    “The WATS publishing house will promote writing and research. “We have found a donor who is willing to finance top flight research. This is an imperative need.

    “Our library is now second to none in west Africa. We are set to launch a terminal degree leading to the award of doctor of philosophy (PhD) between this year and 2022.

    “We have the capacity in collaboration with either Asbury Theological Seminary or some other renowned universities in the USA.”

    Okwii pledged to work towards the establishment of a staff school as well as radio station that will service the seminary community.

    He lamented that the absence of theological inputs in many churches and ministries have led to syncretism and unwholesome practices, saying theology has to become appealing as a necessity for ministerial exploits.

    Appealing to Christians to become more committed to God, the new provost said: “We should always consult God in prayers before we speak or make decisions.

    “Listening to God is the only key to growth physically and spiritually. What man can do, God will never do.”

    Founder of the institution, Rev Dr Gary Maxey, assured that Okwii will help to take WATS to the next phase, saying he came highly recommended and qualified.

  • Provost urges promotion of schools sports

    The Provost of the College of Education Demonstration Secondary School at Ikere-Ekiti, Prof Mojisola Oyarekua, has called for the promotion of schools sports competitions.

    Oyarekua spoke at the school’s eighth biennial inter-house sports competition.

    The event enabled the students to showcase their sporting skills in track and field events.

    The provost described sports in a school setting as activities selected and conducted to realise educational outcomes involving the physical, mental and social development of individuals.

    She said most Nigerian school placed emphasis on the learning of Arts and Science subjects and take sports as just an entertainment programme.

    Oyarekua said sports should be seen as a proper co-curricular programme whose teaching forms the fundamental part of growth and development of an individual.

    The provost noted that taking part in sporting activities is vital to education and academic achievements.

    She promised to support and shoe commitment to an all-round development of the students through sports.

    Oyarekua said: “We are committed to upgrading the sporting facilities at the College Demonstration Secondary School to enable it rank among the best in Nigeria. The new look the school is wearing at the moment was a sign of things to come. We will continue to work towards the actualisation of the vision and mission of the founding fathers.”