The Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland, His Eminence Oba Nwachuku Obuoha Nnam Obi III has re-staled called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to pass the bill to upgrade the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State to a University of Education status.
The 12th Ogba monarch who made the call when members of the 7th Governing Council of the College led by its Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Umaru paid him a courtesy visit in his palace at Omoku on Friday 11th February, 2022 noted that the College which is the only tertiary institution in Orashi region of Rivers State have all it takes both in manpower and infrastructure to be upgraded to university status.
The traditional ruler who called on the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to incessant strikes by educational and health institutions in the country by abiding to all memorandum of understanding reached with them noted that education should be seen by government as a basic human rights and the foundation for more just and equal society, advocated for proper funding of education and health institutions for the survival of the country.
He frowned at the attitudes of some multi-National companies operating in Rivers State and particularly in Orashi region for not identifying with the College but commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for their assistance to the College and called on the Managements of Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Elf, Shell, Indorama, NNPC and others to show their presence in the College.
The Eze Ogba commended the Governing Council and Management of the College for the progress made so far in the school such as the affiliation with two notable institutions in the country, (University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Uyo), introduction of new Academic Programmes, successful accreditation of all programmes by the National University Commission, commencement of fencing of the College permanent site known as Campus II, infrastructural development and among all, undisputed academic and administrative activities as well as peace and unity, thanked his guests for the visit which is the first since he ascended the Eze Ogba throne.
The Governing Council Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Umaru in his speech had told the Eze Ogba that they were in his palace to formally introduce the Council to him and his Council as protocol and tradition demands and thanked him and his people for the cordial relationship between them and FCE(T), Omoku.
He used the opportunity to condole with the people of Ogba Ethnic Nationality and Rivers State in general over the home call of their immediate past 11th Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland, Sir (Dr.) Chukumela Nnam Obi II describing his passage as a great loss not only to the people of Rivers State but the entire Nigeria as he was upright, outspoken traditional ruler, elder statesman, bridge builder, philanthropist, father of the oppressed and God fearing man who joined statesmen to contribute towards the unity, peace and development of the country and thanked Almighty God for the good life he lived before departure to meet his creator when the ovation was high.
The Provost of the College, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri, KSC had in his introductory speech formally introduced the new Oba to the Governing Council Members and told them that (his father) Oba Chukumela Nnam Obi II was a great pillar and first Fellow of the College whose contributions towards the peace, unity and development was noticed and appreciated by all Nigerians and pray Oba Nwachuku Obi to improve on inherited legacies from his father and always be close to the school.
The Registrar of the College and Secretary to the Governing Council, Dr. Godpower Obi Ahiakwo in his vote of thanks, thanked the Eze Ogba for the red carpet reception accorded them and promise that the College will continue to support and hold him in high esteem.
According to a statement issued by the PRO of the College, members of the Governing Council are Alhaji Aliyu Umaru, Chairman; Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri, KSC, Provost/Member; Mr. Aderemi Ogunbanjo, Federal Government Nominee; Mr. Bello Ahmed Gadanya, Federal Government Nominee; Mrs. Grace Iyorhe, Federal Government Nominee; Mr. Afolabi, O.S., Representing Federal Ministry of Education; Dr. Moses Ade Afolabi, Representing National Commission for Colleges of Education; Engr. Goodluck Ikenyiri, MNSE, Representing, Nigerian Society of Engineers; Dr. Ekpa M.M.M., JP, Deputy Provost/Academic Board Representative; Dr. R.O.O Iyede, Representing Academic Board; Mr. Charles Adiela, Representing Alumni Association; while Dr. Godpower Obi Ahiakwo, MNIM is the Registrar/Secretary to Council.
