The 8th Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku Rivers State has been inaugurated with firm assurances from the council members that with God Almighty on their side they will do their best to ensure the College is moved to its enviable height.
Addressing members of the college community, during its median meeting, The Chairman of the Council, Obong Stephen Leo Ntukekpo assured that they were in the College for a positive mission and pleaded for co-operation and support from both management, staff, students and the host communities to ensure that their mandate and mission as handed over by their appointees are realized without hitch.
The Akwa Ibom State born elderstates-man, and astute politician disclosed that the council members considered themselves privileged to have been on the Board of one of the peaceful and fast growing college in Nigeria and promised to ensure that they impact positively on the staff and students in order not to disappoint the College or their appointees.
He promised to do their best to ensure the college is ranked among the best in Nigeria before the end of their tenure and commended the management staff, students and the college host communities for the warm reception accorded them since their arrival, and assured sustained peace and development in the institution.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Provost/Chief Executive Officers of the college, Dr. (Sir) Emmanuel Ikenyiri, on behalf of the College community welcomed members of the Governing Council to the College and congratulate them on their appointments and used the opportunity to enumerated some of his achievements as well as problems hanging the college on the neck which includes among others paucity of fund which has seriously affected the College progress and pray the Council to assist him go to Government to see how funding of the College will improve.
He hinted that the college which was established 36 years ago presently runs Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes as well as degree programmes in affiliation with the famous university of Nigeria, Nsukka and the university of Uyo, adding that with the signing of the Dual Mandate act by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, the College like other federal colleges of Education in Nigeria will in this 2024/2025 academic session commence the Dual Mandate policy which allows the college to run NCE and Degree programmes without affiliation to any university.
Dr. Ikenyiri who was impressed with the caliber of membership of the new council noted that he has no doubt in his mind that the college will witness
more transformation during their tenure an assured them of the support and cooperation of the College community to enable them succeed in their assignment.
The provost used the opportunity to thank members of the 8th Governing Council for approving and ractifing the appointments of the two (2) deputies namely Dr. Ndu Nwamadioke Felix Amadike Deputy Provost (Academic) and Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, Deputy Provost (Administration) during their inaugural meeting.
In their separated goodwill messages, the FCE(T) Omoku Branch Chairman of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) Comrade Richard Joseph Onuotu, the senior staff union of colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) Comrade Pakaye Ekine, His Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) Counterpart, Comrade Ireju Cosmos Wokocha, the branch chapter of the Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) whose address was presented by Dr. (Mrs.) Dirisu Chimezie and the institution’s president of the Students Union Government (SUG) Hon. Adieme Victor Anthony heartedly welcomed members of the 8th Governing Council of the College and sincerely assured them of their readiness to work in harmony but prayed them to make good of its promises of transforming the institution to higher levels as was done by their predecessors.
They listed some of their challenges as Non-Payment of 2021/2022 promotion arrears, nonrelease of the tranche of revitalization fund, lack of commitment by college management over staff death, mainstreaming of staff schools among other problems.
According to a press statement signed by the PRO of the college, Prince Charles Amadike- Otoboh, JP, other members of the Governing Council are the Provost, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri, KSC, Alhaji Ahmed Basarki Yusuf and Bature Umah Masari, Federal Government Nominees, Dr. Ndu Nwamadioke Felix Amadike (Deputy Provost Academic) Dr. Umoeka Emmanuel James Representing Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Lami Dutse, Representing The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Abuja, Dr. Ezekiel Patrick and Dr. (Mrs.) Doris Okoroh both of them representing the college Academic Board.
The rest are Engr. Prof. Chukwuemeka Peter Ukpaka, Member representing the Nigeria society of Engineers (NSE), Mr. Victor Ifeanyi Ahiakwo FCNA (Omelauko) and Comrade Agi Chukwuma MNIM, members, representing congregation (Non-teaching Staff), Dr. Oweisana Akpokobowei and Dr. Kingsley Nwogbidi, Members Representing Congregation (Teching Staff), Deacon Otomah Kingsley is the representative of the College Almuni Association. While the Registrar of the College, Dr. Godspower Obi Ahiakwo, MNIM, is the secretary of the Council.
The council members after their inauguration and median meeting with the College community were accompanied by principal officers of the College on a guided tour of the institutions two campuses to inspect some completed and un-going projects and they also interacted with Deans, Directors, Head of Departments, Staff, Students, College Landlords and friends of the College. The opening prayer for the interactive congregation was offered by the Chaplain of the College, Pastor Dimkpa Alison while the closing prayer was offered by the Bursar of the institution, Lady (Mrs.) Emilia D.G. Inimgba, FCNA.
