Bello Seeks Upgrade of FCE Okene toVarsity
Yekini Jimoh
The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has appealed to the federal government to convert the Federal College of Education, Okene to Federal University of Education.
Bello, who made the appeal during the 15th combined convocation ceremony of the college, noted that in terms of courses offered at the institution and infrastructural development, the college has what it takes to become a full-fledge federal university of education.
He said if converted to a university, it will solve the problem of teachers in various colleges in the country.
The governor said plans are underway to employ teachers in the state as he disclosed that the state government will give priority to Federal College of Education, Okene and College of Education, Ankpa when it commences. He said his administration will always make education its priority and promised to bring a police post into the campus to check security problem.
Bello also promised to build a pedestrian bridge across the major highway to avoid accident since the institution is very close to the major road.
In his remarks, the Provost, Associate Professor Iyela Ajayi said a total of 11,947 students graduated at the15th combined convocation ceremony of the college. He said a total of 9,625 NCE regular students graduated alongside 2,274 sandwich students between 2004-2005, 2015-2016; and 48 PDE students. He added that the institution also conferred some prominent people with honorary fellowships; those who have distinguished themselves in their various professions, and made significant contributions to educational development and Nigeria in general.
Those conferred with the college’s highest honour- Fellowships of the Federal College of Education- included the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salihu Modibo Alfa Balgore; former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie; and Dr. Tom Adaba, the former Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).