By Elohor Foghola
The governor of Delta State Senator Ifeanyi Okowa made a case for all stakeholders participation in the provision of quality education in teritiary institutions.
He expressed this sentiment at the 20th convocation of the College of Education, Warri.
Dr Okowa who was represented by Dr. Kingsley Ashibuoguo, Commissioner for Higher Education, said that his administration would continue to give the necessary assistance to the institution.
According to Okowa, “we understand that tertiary institutions are expensive, that is why we need all stakeholders to join government in the development of our institutions to meet the need of the society. But be assured that every ongoing projects will be completed. “
The governor acknowledged that for the past eight years, the College of Education had contributed to human capital development in the state in particular and Nigeria in general.
He further listed some of the achievements of the state government in the institution to include prompt payment of staff salaries, absorption of 99 staff, approval of 65 years of retirement for non academic staff, release of subventions and provision of infrastructure.
The governor commended the efforts of the Governing Council, staff and parents of the graduands for their financial and moral support .
He urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the college and the state.
Earlier Dr. Dickson Oyovwi , Provost of the college, said that the total number of graduands in the 2011/12- 2021/22 Academic Session were 2428 with 10 Distinctions, 522 Credits , 1534 Merits and 180 Passes.
The provost commended the graduands on the academic accomplishment and urged them to take further steps to strive for higher academic goals to make Delta State and Nigeria proud.
He said that “our college has consistently kept faith with its mandate of producing quality graduates who will contribute to nation building and advance the cause of humanity globally. On this, I wish to congratulate all of us; staff and students on the successes we have recorded in approximating the ideas upon which our college is founded.“
He commended the state government for funding the school; the Federal Government through its TETfund; the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III and Urhobo Progressive Union for reopening of Urhobo Department in the college.
He ,however,disclosed some of the challenges of the college as dwindling enrollment of NCE students, lack of regular supply of electricity to power the ICT facilities, students dropout due to inability to pay school fees and dilapidated buildings, among others.
He therefore called on public spirited individuals, philanthropists, captain of industries, the Alumni Association, Kings, chiefs and community leaders and all others to kindly partner with the institution in making it the learning environment safe, conducive and 21st century compliant.
In her remark, Lauretta Onochie, Executive Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission, an alumnus of the college, urged the graduands to make a difference as teachers.
“ What you have achieved is great. I don’t want you to stop here. I want you to build on it. You must go out there to dedicate yourself as a teacher in order for you to carry your alma mater proudly around the world as I have done,” she said.
She promised to make a difference in the school by using her position to make the institution suitable for learning.