The Federal Government has upgraded the Alvan Ikoku
Federal College of Education (AIFCE), Owerri, to a full fledged,
independent degree awarding institution.The Minister of State for
Education, Professor (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri disclosed this to newsmen
today shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
Professor Onwuliri said that President Goodluck Jonathan gave the
approval in line with the yearnings and aspiration of ndi Igbo which had
been in the drawing board for the past twenty (20) years. In addition,
three other Federal Colleges of Education were upgraded, namely- Adeyemi
Federal College of Education, Ondo, Federal College of Education,
Zaria, and Federal College of Education Kano.
Following this, the Nigerian education sector now has a one stop shop for
teacher’s training, and will no doubt reduce the massive pressure on some universities offering Education courses..
The minister who reiterated the commitment of President Goodluck
Jonathan to eradicate illiteracy among Nigerians through the provision
of sustainable and qualitative education said that the federal
government had set the necessary machinery in motion for the effective
take off of the newly upgraded institutions.
She noted that education had globally become an indispensable instrument
for human capacity and nation building and explained that it was
against this background that President Goodluck Jonathan not only
accorded strong premium to the nation’s education sector but equally
ensured the effective implementation of education policies in line with
the dictates of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
It will be recalled that the late Professor Celestine Onwuliri, former
Vice Chancellor of FUTO had played a pivotal role in the conversion of
Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a Federal College of Education and
commenced preliminary discussions and efforts towards its upgrading to a
university.
She commended Nigerians especially Imo indigenes for their unflinching
support for the President in the past six years and assured that
President Jonathan as a patriot would continue to promote national unity
and integration in both his public and private life.
The Minister also advised all well meaning Nigerians especially members
and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to be
demoralized by the outcome of the just concluded general elections. She
stressed that President Goodluck Jonathan voluntarily decision to
concede defeat is a demonstration of his inestimable love for Nigerians,
the nation and for her continued cooperate existence as an indivisible
entity.
Peter Osamgbi
S.A Media
To Hon. Minister of State
Education.
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