The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Provost

  • Aim for excellence, provost urges alumni

    Aim for excellence, provost urges alumni

    The Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, has urged ex-students of college of education to always aim for excellence in their fields and make good impact on the society. This, he said, is the only way people can respect graduates of colleges of education.

    Ogbuagu spoke at the third national meeting of Conference of Alumni Association in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (COAACEIN) held at Ultramodern Hall of the College. The provost charged the alumni to engage in selfless service that would uplift mankind in line with the values of respective institutions.

    He said: “I urge you to always exhibit the same strength of character and commitment to your duty wherever you may be and in whatever you do. Never should you forget where you started your life.”

    He assured that the college would continue to support its alumni, who are doing the institution proud in diverse areas.

    Speaking on the theme: Refocusing alumni in Nigeria for strategic planning, Dr Chike Obienyem, guest lecturer, said the theme of the conference was pertinent, noting that the event was to discuss the need to refocus the alumni association for strategic planning and action that would harness the capacity of college graduates towards education development.

    During a courtesy visit to the provost, the National President of the alumni association, Dr J.B. Ugochukwu, hailed Ogbuagu for the college’s support in hosting the event. He appealed to the provost to build a framework that would sustain the progress the institution achieved in the past years, noting that the alumni had confidence in the college management.

    Ugochukwu said that COAACEIN’s aim was to provide a platform for colleges of education alumni to network and partner for improvement of teaching and learning standard. He said the body had been promoting development in colleges by interfacing with education stakeholders for the advancement of teachers’ education and policy direction.

    He called on college managements to seek partnership with the association to unite their ex-students for the purpose of education development.

    Highlights of the event included the conferment of honours and Awards of Excellence on Ogbuagu and Registrar, Sir A.I. Udensi, for smooth administration of the school.

  • NANS honours Provost

    NANS honours Provost

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D (Southwest) has honoured the Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Dr Samson Adeola Odedina, with the ‘Outstanding Leadership’ award.

    He was awarded at the NANS zonal convention held on the college premises in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The convention drew participants from higher institutions across the six Southwest states. It was attended by Joint Campus Committee (JCC) chairmen of the states, and over 55 Students’ Union presidents, past leaders of the organisation and a representative of the host institution.

    The event kicked off with NANS Zone D Coordinator, Comrade Asefon Sunday, who welcomed all to the ceremony.

    Odedina expressed happiness with NANS’ decision to host the conference in the institution. He highlighted various transformation the college has experienced since the inception of his administration, especially on students’welfare.

    These, Odedina said, include measures such as reduction in school fees, abolition of excursion fees, provision of good student learning environment, and excellent management-students relationship, among other things. He further admonished delegates to explore the leadership opportunities NANS would afford them.

    The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the award to Dr Odedina by Comrade Asefon.

    Odedina dedicated the award to the students of FCE Akure. He informed the audience of ongoing agricultural value chain projects (in collaboration with four international partners and the Federal Government of Nigeria) aimed at providing employment opportunities for students.

     

  • Medical lab scientists honour provost

    Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, has been honoured with a Distinguished Excellence Award by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka chapter of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN).

    Ogbuagu was honoured at a professional development workshop held by the association at Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies Complex in UNIZIK.

    AMLSN chairman, Dr Chukwujekwu Nwabueze, said the award was to recognise the association’s role models, who contributed to the development of medical laboratory science profession. He said the association was also recognising Ogbuagu’s strides in development of infrastructure in the college and his effort to provide conducive learning atmosphere.

    He said: “A man who has and is still contributing his quota to nation building, humanity and the promotion of qualitative education, which remains the best legacy that can be bequeathed to our children, should be recognised when they will appreciate it. This is why we consider Prof Ogbuagu for the honour.”

    Replying, the provost, represented by his wife, Dr Adaora Ogbuagu, said the honour would make her husband to be focused and increase his effort more to improve the standard of education in the college.

    She said: “We have not achieved the aim of improving education standard yet. Those of us, who have seen the standard of education in other countries, would be pained by the level of education in our country. We will continue to do our best to make it better. We are not doing this to impress anybody; all we have done was to do the right thing and we will continue it despite the challenges.”

  • Provost for College of Medicine

    The new Provost of the College of Medicine, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Prof Kehinde Oluwadiya, and other members, of staff of the college, have been told to work harder than before to sustain the good reputation of the college.

    Vice-Chancellor EKSU Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina, gave the charge during the Academic Staff Assembly (ASA) of the college of Medicine where Oluwadiya was elected as the new Provost on Thursday, August 6.

    “The stage you are is critical, with the recent accreditation of the college, you have to work harder than before,” the Vice-Chancellor admonished.

    Aina congratulated Oluwadiya, who emerged with 53 votes unopposed,urging him to carry his colleagues  along, and build on the achievements of his predecessors.

    Oluwadiya promised to explore the possibilities of leveraging the professional expertise of staff in all spheres. He also vowed to improve the finances of the college.

    The Registrar of EKSU, Mr Emmanuel Ogunyemi, moderated the election, which was attended by all principal officers of the institution.

  • Provost lauds Fed Govt, TETFund on projects

    The Provost Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, has hailed the Federal Government and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for initiating various intervention projects towards development of education and sustaining funding of tertiary institutions.

    Ogbuagu gave the commendation in an interaction with reporters last week in his office. He said the college had benefited largely from the TETFund intervention, which he said had created an enabling environment for quality learning.

    He vowed that he would leave no stone unturned to ensure judicious use of the funds to achieve the institution’s objectives.

    According to Ogbuagu, the office of the provost and other administrative offices in the college would be relocated to the permanent site of the institution for effective management of the school.

    He promised to continue to work hard to sustain the cordial relationship between the host community and the college.

    Ogbuagu thanked Governor Willie Obiano for his efforts in education and security, reiterating the college’s readiness to partner with relevant agencies in the state to improve teaching and learning.

     

  • Provost seeks students’ support

    Provost seeks students’ support

    Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Umunze, Anambra State Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, has said his vision is to make the college the best in the country. The dream, he said, is achievable with the support of the staff and students.

    He spoke at an interactive session with the students on the campus last week. The provost earlier received the top management staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, led by the Managing Director, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo.

    Ogbuagu, a professor of Industrial Chemistry, said his administration had recorded progress in the college, urging for more support from students.

    He advised students to stop the excessive use of social media, saying many were being distracted from their studies because of their addiction to social media. He said students must resist the temptation to engage in anti-social activities, warning them against indecent dressing, cheating and exam malpractices.

    The provost said the management would not hesitate to punish the offenders, saying: “We shall expel such student whose behavior does not conform to the laid down rules of the college.”

    He assured that the college would not renege on its duty to offer students support to enable them actualise their dreams. He observed that the only way for students to succeed academically is by studying hard, doing assignments and being punctual at lectures.

    He said scholarship would be given to best students at the end of every session, to encourage students to work hard.

    He said he was satisfied with his achievements in the past years in office, promising to pursue his programmes aggressively to make his administration attain its goals.

    Responding on behalf students, Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Raphael Ezeonyedika, hailed the provost and his team for creating time to interact with students and listening to their challenges. He pledged students would not disappoint the management, expressing optimism that the meeting would help students understand the college’s leadership.

  • Provost scores alumni high

    The Provost of Al hikma College of Education, Ankpa, Kogi State, Dr. Sani Haroon, has rated AAUA’a alumni high.

    Haroon spoke when he led the management of the institution on a courtesy call on the AAUA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun.

    He said: “In 2008, the Al hikma community sought a prestigious and credible university to affiliate with; and from our investigation, we found that Adekunle Ajasin University is one of the best universities in the country. So, we affiliated with AAUA because of the credibility attached to the university. We are happy to let you know that your graduates who are working with the college are performing very well.”

    Haroon also said the team would discuss the existing bilateral relationship between the college and AAUA.  The college was affiliated t AAUA from 2010 to 2014.

  • Nigerian education needs creativity, says Provost

    Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos state, Dr Sijibomi Olusanya, has proposed educational creativity as a major tool for national development.

    He made the proposal at the opening of the fourth school conference of the School of Education last Wednesday.

    Olusanya said: “If education has been rightly regarded as the major tool for national development, then it appears that among other things, our education needs some impression of creativity in order for it to bring the nation to the realm of competitive and sustainable economy. Unless fundamental changes take place in our educational system, the much anticipated economic development would continue to be a mirage.”

    Keynote speaker, Prof Joel Babalola of the faculty of education, University of Ibadan, Oyo state, said in his address that technology can solve Nigeria’s problems.

    Describing it as the connecting factor between the country’s present economical state and its anticipated position, Babalola advocated that the economy should embrace the changes that come with the demands of the ‘smart society’, which he said is the way of life of the 21st century.

    “Technology is the connecting factor and with it, there would be transformation in policy directions, research, diversification of the economy, industrialisation, innovation and education at all levels, he said.

    The don added that to achieve a sustainable economy means engaging in a balanced thinking of how today’s progress will not compromise the ability of upcoming generation to enjoy future prosperity.

    Representative of the ministry of education at the event, Mrs Eyitope Olateju, advocated for more application of knowledge by academicians in the country, from results gained from conferences such as this.

    Chairperson local organising committee of the conference, Dr Stella Anumnu, advised fellow teachers to engage in workshops, seminars and conferences that would keep them abreast of information and developments in their areas of specialisation.

    She said: “Without conferences, we cannot get information in our areas of specialisation. This conference is therefore important for people, especially lecturers, because a teacher cannot give what he does not have. But when we meet like this, we get to brainstorm, get new ideas, people who do not know certain things in certain areas get information from colleagues and beef up their knowledge and skills and they can be enlightened and up to date.”

  • Be change agents, provost tells new doctors

    Be change agents, provost tells new doctors

    The Provost, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL), Prof Folasade Ogunsola, sent 83 new doctors and dentists into the world with the charge that they should solve problems in Nigeria’s crisis-ridden health sector.

    In her address at the induction of the 2014 medical and dental graduands of the college last Thursday, Prof Ogunsola reminded them that the task ahead was herculean.

    “Too many lives depend on you and that is an awesome responsibility” Ogunsola warned. “Health care in Nigeria is in crisis, so you must be a part of the solution and not the problem. That we have tried to teach you.”

    However, she expressed confidence in their abilities, congratulating them for enduring to the end of the six-year training.

    “I know that for you to get here today you are over comers. You are hardworking, persistent and there is a leader in every single one of you. There is in each and every one of you the ability to be change agents, to be builders of the positive because you are products of the best medical school in the country.

    “I can also see hope, curiosity and excitement, and know that you cannot wait to go and change for good the landscape of our health sector,” she added.

    She enjoined them to be builders of their alma mater, and think of what they can do to add value to it, so as to leave lasting legacies for those behind.

    The best graduating student, Dr Kingsley Ezegwu, who also clinched three awards and N500,000 cash prize shared his experience studying in the school.

    He said: “I feel very elated that a journey of six years plus is ending today and it is a thing of joy personally for me, my parents and other grandaunds.  I believe Medicine is quite a tough course as people say, but with God, hard work consistent reading, it is something one can pull through.

    “I am satisfied with the training. I believe this is the best training I can get in Nigeria,” Ezegwu added.

    Another graduand, Sandra Onwuekwe, sought increased funding for medical education.

    She said: “Well considering the situation of the country, I think they (lecturers) have actually done their best.  Although it is not really as qualitative as we want to get but at least it is the best in the circumstances. There will always be room for improvement.

    “I would like more money to be spent on medical education.  I would like students to have a more conducive academic environment where they can actually study. We want more scholarships for students, for those that are poor, but academically sound.”

  • End quackery in teaching, provost urges

    A call has been made to intensify the fight against quackery in the teaching profession.

    Provost of the College of Education in Obudu, Cross River State, Dr Eugene Ibli, made the call during the first induction of teachers into the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in the institution.

    Ibli, who was represented by his deputy Obong Okon Akpan Mbuk, said since the teaching profession has become attractive, the need to protect it from junk and quackery has also become compelling.

    He thanked the council for providing a platform for teachers to be graded and branded into a professional body.

    He assured that the college would not relent in her efforts in producing well-trained and highly motivated teachers who will contribute to the development of the nation.

    Guest speaker, Prof Zephirinus Njoku of the Department of Science Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, decried the trend that has turned the teaching profession into an ‘all comers’ business.

    He described it as one job seekers fall back on when they do not succeed elsewhere. Even in tertiary institutions, he said there is student apathy towards the teaching profession.  Hence colleges of education and faculties of education in universities are forced to wait for those whose cut off points were not high enough for the courses they applied for and fall back to education as a last resort.

    He decried a situation where young graduates prefer to be inspectors rather than teachers because according to them, teaching is too demanding, especially writing lesson plans and notes, as well as administering tests and examinations.

    Registrar of TRCN, Prof Addision Wokocha, represented by Director of Professional Operations, Alhaji Ibrahim Roni, said the council is poised to stem the tide of fake and unqualified teachers who only find their way into the profession as a means of livelihood.

    Replying, one of the inductees, Dr Willie Eteng, expressed appreciation for being found worthy of being admitted full membership of the teachers’ professional body.

    He pledged his loyalty and dedication to the profession.