Nigeria’s future lies in investment in youths education — FCEs Provost

Professor Usman made the remark at the 17th  convocation of the college held on Thursday.

He suggested that the government, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment should put in place the necessary strategies and come up with a comprehensive, balanced and commensurate reward   for Nigerian workers including teachers  and those directly involved in the special education.  He also advised the government that negotiations on salaries  of workers and welfare packages for those in the institutions of learning should be settled in a more holistic approach rather than the present ad-hoc and piece-meal method

“It is sad to note that Nigeria as a country is fast changing and has developed  so many visible  complexities, especially in the tertiary education system.  What we are witnessing today is not student unrest but worker/labour unrest, often occasioned by the unsatisfactory nature of staff emoluments and welfare packages, unfulfilled  agreement  and income comparison  with office holders outside the academics.

This  has become an endemic problem more in our higher institutions  than  other sectors. Any of our public institutions have not experienced regular and full-sessions in the last five years. Our universities  and colleges of education have lost the status of the  Ivory Tower of those old days,” he lamented.

Speaking further, the Provost noted that the college’s funding profile has not been in any way commensurate with the requirements and demand of the college’s programmes by virtue of the college focus and specialty. He appealed to the presidency  through  the Federal Ministry of Education to approve  special capital and TETFUND Grants for Federal College of Education for Special, to adequately  address  the physical  and human  capital  needs  that are constituting challenges to achieving the college’s unique mission .   

Speaking in the same vein at the occasion, the Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Education,  Andrew  David Adejo, while congratulating the graduating students of the institution, expressed appreciation for the exceptional dedication  and visionary   leadership  being displayed by successive  chairman  and member of the Governing  Council, as well as  the management  team  of   the institution since  inception. He then called on the state government, non-governmental organisations and honorable philanthropists in the society to rise to the support of the college in providing better  opportunities and socio-economic relevance to the growing population of children with disabilities in Nigeria.

As part of the activities scheduled to mark the 17th convocation  of the college,  the institution recognized some eminent award deserving  fellow Nigerians  for an  award of excellence in view of their immense and indelible contributions  to the  growth and development  of Nigerian society.

The awardees of the college  for the 2023 edition are;  Oyo State Governor,  Seyi Makinde,  the  Executive Governor Borno State, Professor Babagana  Zulum  , Former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura.

Others include; The Registrar/ Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor  Josiah  Olusegun Ajiboye; Chairman   of the Board of Nigerian Communication  Commission (NCC), Professor  Adeolu Akande;  Sir Olusegun Adeyemi  Adekunle (OON); Dr (Mrs) Wasilat  Shittu-Titilola and Alhaji  Jimoh  Abdulwwasiu  Adebisi.