By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor Dr Abgu Kefas has said that education is one of his administration’s priority.
The Governor represented by the Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, disclose this during the 17th Convocation ceremony of College of Education, Zing, Taraba State.
The Governor who was a visitor to the College, reaffirmed the Taraba State Government’s commitment to revitalising the education sector through sustained investment and policy reforms.
“Education remains one of the cardinal priorities of this administration, the government has continued to improve infrastructure, expand access to education and strengthen tertiary institutions across the state.
“The 50 percent reduction in tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions has eased the financial burden on parents and guardians while making higher education more accessible to students – he said.
The Governor also highlighted other reforms introduced by his administration to improve the quality of education, stressing that education remains the foundation for the state’s social and economic development.
He congratulated the graduating students on the successful completion of their studies and urged them to uphold the values of integrity, discipline and professionalism as they contribute to the development of society.
Earlier, the Provost College of Education Zing, Professor Ejika Sambo, stated that the College is the only State-owned Institution that train teachers in line with the National Policy on Education to man Primary and Junior Secondary School levels.
“The College is among the State Institutions that keyed in to your noble policy of 50% slash of tuition in order to bring succor to parents of School-age wards.
According to him, the government’s commitment and resilience to ensuring the College is repositioned for optimal service delivery is worthy of mention.
“The College received funds for resource verification visit by the National Universities Commission (NUC). As a result, we have obtained full accreditation to run 22-degree programmes without affiliation with any University, not to mention the Thirty-one (31) NCE programmes respectively, with three (3) different areas of specializations.
“The entire College community, will forever remain thankful for your leadership in forwarding executive Bill to the State House of Assembly with respect to the amendment of the College Edict and inclusion of Dual mandate program. It may interest the general public to know that the Bill was given accelerated hearing by the House and into law without delay, assented to by His Excellency and Gazetted by Ministry of Justice.
The Provost disclose that the College has adequate and qualified man power that will man all our programs.
“It has over 80 PhD degree holders, 100 master degree holders and others are undergoing their studies in various Institutions of higher learning.
“With the huge investment putting into our College, we are determined to give the best, well trained and qualified teachers.
He further appreciate the Government for his financial support to the College.
“Your Excellency, This very Convocation Ceremony wound not have been successful without your financial support, you promised us that Convocation will be held every academic session and here it is. This is a testament that you are a good leader, “Mr. Talk and do”. “Promise made, promise kept”.
“We pray that God will keep you alive and in good health condition to witness the next year’s Convocation Ceremony.
“Under your able leadership, we have not witnessed any industrial disharmony by our Union, we are strike-free Institution.
“This shows good and cordial working relationship and understanding among the critical stakeholders in the College, as well as our mother Ministry, (Ministry of Tertiary Education). Our calendar of events is always adhered to as planned.
“Sir, the entire College Community will continue pledging its loyalty to the policies and programs of your administration to enable you succeed.
Professor Ejika Sambo recognizing the efforts of TETfund in physical development, Staff training and development, Research, Conferences, workshops, purchase of vehicles among others that were brought to College and wish such gesture would be maintained.
He mention pockets of challenges facing the College to include,
Encroachment of College land by the host Community.
“Your Excellency Sir, TETfund allocate projects annually and some of the College lands were taken by the host Community on the account that they were not compensated. There is need to compensate them to allow expansion of the College facilities.
Need for compensation and completion of Alhaji Namme’s abundant project.
“There was an abandoned projects which was handled by Alhaji Namme in the early 80s. The completion of the project will go a long way in addressing lecture halls accommodation for both NCE and Undergraduate programs.
The need for more Staff residential quarters.
“Your Excellency, when the Collage was in Jalingo, half of our Staff members residing in Staff Quarters. We were relocated to Zing in 2012 without making any provision for Staff Quarters.
“The North East Development Commission (NEDC) built 100 housing unit which is yet to be handed over to the Collage. We are therefore appealing to the State Government to build more, to enable our Staff to be properly accommodated for effective teaching and learning to take place.
A need for vehicles for transportation.
“It may interest Your Excellency to know that, most of the vehicles supplied by TETfund are almost grounded, there is a need for vehicle for transportation to the College to ease Staff transport fare from Jalingo to Zing he said.
According to him, despite these numerous challenges mentioned, the College is still waxing stronger and progressing as it awaits necessary actions for better efficiency.
He appreciated the Ministry of Tertiary Education for its support and cooperation in
ensuring that the Convocation Ceremony become a successful one.
“I equally appreciate the College Governing Council, Management, Committee on Convocation Ceremony, Staff members and Students for your support and cooperation, may the Almighty God reward you all – he added.
Major highlight of the ceremony was the announcement that the institution had secured accreditation for 22 degree programmes from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and 31 Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes, a development described as a significant boost to its academic standing.