The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Provost

  • Provost fights corruption

    The Provost, College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, Dr. Mojisola Oyarekua, has said her administration would not tolerate corruption.

    She spoke at the inauguration of the college’s Anti-Corruption Unit, which she said would ensure probity, accountability and transparency among workers and students.

    Dr. Oyarekua, said last Thursday that the unit was one of the policy thrusts of her administration, which started about a month ago.

    To this end, she said the Procurement Unit had been fortified to ensure due process in the purchase of materials and that the college gets value for money on purchases.

    She urged workers and students who have complaints about fraudulent practices, underhand dealings, alteration of results, sexual harassment and related matters to forward same to the unit, which would investigate them.

    “You can send your complaints; we will look at the case on its own merit and any one worth investigating will be investigated and any one that lacks merit will be discarded.

    “There is no way I won’t step on toes. One cannot be embezzling money or engaging in alteration of results or harassing students sexually without being challenged,” she said.

    Reacting to plans by the Federal Government to employ 500,000 teachers, the Provost advised President Muhammadu Buhari to place premium on quality rather than just tackling unemployment.

    “Developing the education sector is beyond mere providing employment; but there should be academic quality because no education can grow beyond the qualities of teachers.

    “There should be incentives for teachers, facilities must be provided, schools must be refurbished, and environment must be made conducive for both teachers and students,” she said.

    Mrs Oyarekua revealed that the college is strengthening its entrepreneurial and vocational education programmes in such a way that each student would be exposed to one skill per session, including farming.

    “We are looking at how to increase the qualities of NCE graduates in this college.  That is why we are exposing our students to one vocation per session, so that they will have options after graduation.

    “We are not comfortable with how they are discriminating against the NCE graduates in the labour market,” he said.

     

  • Provost warns students against cultism

    Authorities of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, have urged new students admitted for the 2015/2016 academic session to shun cultism and other social vices.

    The Provost, Prof Olukoya Ogen, gave the charge during the opening of the 2015/2016 orientation programme for new students. He urged them to comport themselves and act in line with the school’s vision.

    The Provost noted that the institution is known for its high academic standard which it has sustained since inception in 1964.

    Congratulating the freshers on their admission into the college, which is affiliated with three notable institutions in the country, Ogen urged them to be obedient, studious and shun cultism.

    He assured them that the management had made adequate provisions for basic facilities needed for their studies.

    The new students learnt about “Students and Financial Transactions in the College” from the Bursar, Mr. Ganiyu Abdul.

    He educated them about various requirements that would qualify them to be bonafide students of the college like the JAMB certification, payment of tuition fees, and administration of oaths among other things.

    In his address, the Dean, Student of Affairs, Mr Olaniyi Olaluwoye admonished them to jealously protect the good image of the institution and shun vices.

    He said: “I will enjoin you to shun acts that will put you in trouble. Such acts among others are: cultism, drug addiction, examination malpractice, prostitution and other societal vices.”

    Miss Awe Taiwo and Akinkuotu Love, who have been admitted to study Economics and Physics/Mathematics, expressed their enthusiasm at being among the lucky ones admitted into the school.

     

     

  • Why specialised colleges must benefit from TETFund, by provost

    Why specialised colleges must benefit from TETFund, by provost

    Provost of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH) in Igboora, Prof Gbemiga Adewale, has said there is need for colleges of agriculture to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    Adewale, a professor of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, spoke while presenting report of progress of the institution to members of Interim Governing Council at their inaugural meeting.

    The provost said colleges of agriculture are specialised institutions training students in agricultural technology, noting that there was need to upgrade facilities and training equipment to teach modern techniques in the area.

    Adewale decried discrimination between polytechnics and specialised colleges, saying TETFund needed to give equal funding access to all higher institutions. He said colleges of agriculture administrators, after their recent meeting, threw their weight behind amended TETFund Bill, which has passed through the first reading in the House of Representatives. He urged the TETFund management to reciprocate the gesture by extending funding to colleges of agriculture.

    The provost said paucity of fund being experienced by tertiary institutions had become a major challenge impeding provision of adequate facilities and infrastructure. If colleges of agriculture are allowed to access funding, Adewale said specialised institutions would speed up their development in infrastructure and research.

  • Provost warns students against cultism

    Provost warns students against cultism

    Authorities of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, have urged the new students admitted for the 2015/2016 academic session to shun cultism and other social vices.

    The Provost, Prof. Olukoya Ogen, gave the charge during the opening of the 2015/2016 orientation programme for new students.

    He urged them to comport themselves and act in line with the school’s vision.

    The Provost noted that the institution is known for its high academic standard since inception in 1964, preening on the quality of graduates it has produced over the years.

    Ogen, who congratulated the freshers for getting admitted into ACE, which is affiliated with three notable institutions in the country, urged them to be obedient to their lecturers, studious and shun cultism.

    He assured them that the management had made adequate provisions for them to access basic infrastructures and facilities in the course of their studies.

    The new students learnt about “Students and Financial Transactions in the College” from the Bursar, Mr. Ganiyu Abdul.

    He educated them about various requirements that would qualify them to be bonafide students of the college like the JAMB certification, payment of tuition fees, and administration of oaths among other things.

    In his address, the Dean, Student of Affairs, Mr. Olaniyi Olaluwoye admonished them to jealously protect the good image of the institution and shun vices.

    He said: “I will enjoin you to shun acts that will put you in trouble. Such acts among others are: cultism, drug addiction, examination malpractice, prostitution and other societal vices”.

    He reiterated the need to be ambassadors of the college as students and in the nearest future, saying “I am appealing to you to emulate these ones so that you can also become a good reference point in the nearest future.”

    Miss Awe Taiwo and Akinkuotu Love, who have been admitted to study Economics and Physics/Mathematics, expressed their enthusiasm at being among the lucky ones admitted into the school.

    They pledged to be of good conduct, obedient, studious and wished to be alumni, who will someday become the provost of the college like Prof. Ogen.

  • Provost gets NANS excellence award

    Provost gets NANS excellence award

    The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has honoured the Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE) in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Prof Benjamin Mbah, with an award of excellence.

    Presenting the award, NANS General Secretary, Ola Kolawale, who led other members of the body to the college, said the award was in recognition of the provost’s outstanding performance since his assumption of office.

    Kolawale, a Political Science student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, was accompanied by National Treasurer, Isah Usman, Director of Gender Affairs, Mary Isaac, and Chief of Staff to NANS president, Victor Chizozie.

    Kolawale said Prof Mbah’s activities in the college distinguished him as a leader with good mission and vision. The NANS Secretary said the college had witnessed rapid infrastructural development and high-level peace.

    “NANS considers Prof Mbah for this award because of his leadership qualities and his contribution to nation building. He has changed the face of the college through provision of key facilities to aid learning and cultural developments in the school.”

    Kolawale noted NANS would not give award to any person because of money and other material, stressing that recipient of NANS honour deserved the award based on their contributions to education development and nation building. He said the award given to the provost was purely on merit and in appreciation of Prof Mbah’s positive contributions to the growth of the college.

    He said: “NANS is impressed by the level of peace, infrastructural development and academic performance of students of the college. We believe Prof Mbah deserves to be honoured with this award.”

    Responding, the provost said his achievement was encouraged by the students’ zeal to learn, saying he was happy that his efforts were recognised by the association. He assured that he would not relent in discharging his responsibilities to the college, noting that he had dedicated his life to enrich students in knowledge.

    Prof Mbah observed that it was always difficult for people to notice achievements of public officers, pointing out that the NANS leaders must have been struck by the improved rating of the college in academics and facility development.

    He said: “In this part of the world, we don’t normally see achievements of our leaders. It is only what the leader did not do well that people will point out. But, I think NANS must have seen something exceptional here and said let us encourage the provost. Even though they may bear my name, all achievements on the campus is for all staff and students.”

    The Registrar of the college, Mrs C.N. Nebedum, on behalf of the management, congratulated the provost for the honour. Nebedum said the NANS made right choice by spotting the provost’s developmental policy and recognise his efforts.

    The Deputy Provost, Mr John Nebo, said the award showed that college was on course. He hailed the NANS leaders for the honour.

     

  • Provost hails TETFund as agency donates multimedia lab

    Provost hails TETFund as agency donates multimedia lab

    Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, has described the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as the most important government agency providing facilities for education. Without interventions from TETFund, Ogbuagu said quality teaching would have eroded in most tertiary institutions.

    The provost spoke during the commissioning of the fully-equipped Multimedia Micro-teaching Laboratory donated to the college by TETFund.

    He praised the Federal Government for creating the agency to provide modern facilities in higher institutions to enhance quality education and service delivery. The agency’s intervention, he said, had improved teaching and learning in higher institutions, adding that it had also raised a generation of students who could compete with their peers globally.

    Ogbuagu said: “The college has benefitted immensely from the TETFund intervention. Most of the facilities we have today are courtesy of TETFund interventions and we have had a lot of achievements through the provision of necessary facilities to aid teaching and learning.”

    Handing over the multimedia facility to the management, the agency’s Director of Physical Planning, Mr Jonathan Achumie, said the Federal Government built the facility to ameliorate teaching, noting that the building had been equipped with best instrument.

    The handover ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Provost, Mrs J.C, Madichie, the college Teaching Practice Co-ordinator, Mr A.C. Assimonye, Director of Works and Services, Mr D.C, Mojekwu, and Director Physical Planning and Statistics, Mr B.U. Agwunobi, among others.

  • Provost urges improved investment in agriculture

    The Provost of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSATECH) in Igboora, Prof Gbemiga Adewale, has described social protection and agricultural interventions as powerful tools to improve food security.

    The provost spoke in the commemoration of the World Food Day with the theme: Social protection and agriculture: Breaking the cycle of rural poverty.

    Prof Adewale said social protection must go hand-in-hand with agricultural interventions to promote even development and impacts in the nation’s agricultural sector.

    He said good agricultural programmes could reinforce social protection if rural production and consumption could be diversified and intensified through investments in agricultural assets and infrastructure.

    The provost revealed that the college, apart from providing education training in various areas of agriculture, had provided social services to the community in an attempt to break poverty cycle.

    He listed the community services provided to include distribution of free cassava stems rich in Vitamin A, and other cassava variety stems to farmers, training of fish farming on integrated and improved cassava production.

    Prof Adewale called on governments at all levels and non- governmental organisations to work out plan on providing accessible funds to small scale farmers. He said farmers should be organised into manageable groups for them to access the soft loans to boost their productivity. He also advocated for proper monitoring and co-ordination of farmers, adding that provision should be made for marketing the farm produce.

  • 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 tasks Nigerian scholars on intellectual development

    Provost tasks Nigerian scholars on intellectual development

    The Provost, Adeyemi College of Education, (ACE) Ondo, Prof. Olukoya Ogen, has urged scholars to seek global outreach and intellectual development in order to enhance their career. Ogen gave the advice at a workshop themed: “Writing Research proposals for Fellowship and Grants” held at the Management Information System (MIS) building of the institution.

    The workshop was sponsored by the United Kingdom/Economic and Social Research Council (UK/E.S.R.C).

    Stressing the importance of international collaboration in knowledge transfer, the Provost said participation in seminars and conferences outside their institutions would help Nigerian academics to acquire knowledge and gain exposure to compete favourably on the world stage.

    Ogen also said Nigerian institutions need to keep abreast of global trends as institutions in the 21st Century are defined not only by physical attributes, but international presence, competitiveness and global recognition.

    In his welcome address, the Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr Gbade Ikuejube, described the workshop as a landmark achievement and first of its kind in the history of the institution.

    Expressing optimism on the immense benefits that would accrue to participants from the workshop, Ikuejube described the team of resource persons as seasoned and experienced.

    Also speaking, Dr. Insa Nolte, a researcher and history lecturer in the Department of History, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, said the programme was aimed at developing the skills and proficiency of scholars in Nigerian institutions to enable them compete and network internationally.

    Calling for effective collaboration between Nigerian scholars and their overseas counterparts, he said knowledge transfer could better be achieved with international collaboration and mutual engagements.

    The two-day programme featured presentation of papers on various topics which include: “An overview of available national and international grants and fellowship programmes”, “Applying for and winning the George Forster/AVH Fellowships”; “Applying for and winning the Cadbury and AHP-ACLS  fellowships and “Applying for and winning the Leventis fellowship.”

     

  • 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.