Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has reiterated his resolve to convert the Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe to a university of education to enable it to award degrees.
Speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony of the college for 2014 to 2016 graduands in Nsugbe on Friday, Obiano said that plans were at the final stage to realise the project.
“What we want is for this place to become a university of education and we know that it will soon happen,” Obiano said.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, said the conversion would strengthen teacher education and expressed delight that 25 courses offered by the college had been accredited by the National Commission of Colleges of Education (NCCE).
He promised to look into the request for the implementation of Consolidated Tertiary Salary Structure for Colleges of Education (CONTENDES) when the internally generated revenue of the state improved.
Obiano urged the graduands to apply the knowledge acquired in the college to improve their lives and the society.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the college, Mr Cletus Ibeto, lauded Obiano for approving N80 million bailout fund for the institution between July and October.
Ibeto commended the governor for 90 per cent salary increase for the staff and appointing members of the council after 12 years without a council.
The chairman said the council had blocked all the internally-general revenue leakages.
In her remarks, the Provost of the college, Dr Ego Uzezie, appealed to the governor to release the 2016 capital vote for the renovation of buildings and purchase of vehicles.
Uzezie urged Obiano to include the school’s medical centre in the government’s community projects and provide scholarship awards to indigent students.
She listed some of her achievements to include on-line examinations, computerisation of bursary department and construction of school of arts and social sciences building, among others.
The provost said that the conversion of the college to a university would boost its strength, encourage the staff and student and also increases its revenues.
Miss Vivian Okoye who studied economics-mathematics, emerged the overall best for 2014 session, Miss Amuche Emodi of the mathematics/physics emerged the overall best for 2015 while Mr Ekene Okoro, also of mathematics/physics department, was the over all best student for 2016.
They were given N50,000 cash prize each and other endowments. (NAN)
