The outgoing Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Dr Ignatius Ezoem, has described his survival in office for eight years as the greatest of his achievements.
Dr Ezoem, who stated this in a valedictory press briefing at the permanent site of the college in Asaba, thanked God for giving him the capacity to deliver on his mandate to the best of his ability without fear or favour.
He said the college now has the best Administrative Complex that could be found in any College of Education in the country, adding that additional hostels were constructed for both male and female students, some of which have been completed with others ongoing.
The Idumuogo born Childhood Education expert said the federal institution under his watch was repositioned to award degrees in affiliation with the University of Benin, while academic activities were designed in conformity with minimum standards and general regulatory stipulations by the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE.
Dr Ezoem said he increased the fleet of vehicles from the only one Tokumbo Toyota Corolla car he inherited to over 20 brand new ones, including an Ambulance, cars, buses and hilux, and engaged in aggressive staff development and capacity building for different categories of staff within and outside the country.
He pointed out that even with the low student enrollment syndrome in Colleges of Education in the country, the Federal College of Education(Technical) Asaba was lucky to grow its student population from about one thousand when he took over as Provost to now over four thousand.
Dr Ezoem said he was the first Provost of the college to be elected vice chairman and later became chairman of the Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education in Nigeria, adding that he would be leaving behind the virtues of discipline, godliness, accountability, love for one another and equity for the new provost, management and staff of the institution.
The outgoing Provost said the major challenge he faced was the paucity of funds occasioned by the global economic downturn which hindered the realization of some set goals.
He paid tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Professor Bappa Aliyu for giving him the opportunity to serve.
Dr Ezoem also thanked the Governing Council of the institution, led by Honourable Funsho Ibrahim, the Asagba in Council, the management, staff and students of the college for their support, while appreciating the state government for providing the old site of Asaba Technical College as the take off premises
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