Imo State College of Education has received facelift says Ohanwe, thumbs up Governor Uzodimma, FG

Photo: HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, Chairman Imo State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma leading members of the Governing Council during the facilities inspection visit. Pix by Everest Ezihe.

From Everest Ezihe, Owerri

HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh, (Obi Gburugburu of Igboland) has attested that Imo State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma which was on the verge of going moribund in the way of most governments critical institutions, has received serious facelift in terms of infrastructural and academics developments and transformations, barely one year of the inauguration and institution of her Governing Council, while given kudos to Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Federal Government through Tetfund for their tremendous support and cooperation.

Eze Ohanwe who’s the Chairman of the College of Education’s governing council disclosed this during the 5th meeting of the members of the  Council and the institution’s management team led by Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Maryrose Nwachukwu held recently at the institution’s Governing Council’s Conference Hall.

While appreciating members of the council, management and staff of the institution for their patriotism, he also expressed gratitude to the Shared Prosperity and 3R administrative mantra of Imo State Government and the Federal Government through Tetfund for the transformation and developmental strides so far achieved by the institution.

The Council Chairman recalled that when the Council was inaugurated late June last year, on their maiden visit to the institution, that they were heralded with a glorified tertiary institution begging for burial with moral debased staff and few students while thanking God that today, the narratives have been positively changed and people are attesting towards that.

According to him, “as it’s today,I can boldly say and without any fear of contradiction that both the Council and the management of the institution have done well. However, it’s not Uhuru yet. We have not achieved up to 70% of our targeted achievements, but with these spirits of patriotism, selfless services, compassion, doggedness and the state and Federal Government supports we will surely reach there”.

Ohanweh who reassured that the council and management will not relent on their efforts of ensuring that the institution genuinely prides itself as the pride of the Eastern Heartland State and Nigeria at large, based on their uncompromising mission and vision of producing the most effective and qualitative teachers and other professionals.

He reiterated that the College of Education is moving to a higher level considering the fact that Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri has been elevated to Federal University of Education, Owerri based on the instrumentality of Governor Uzodimma’s results oriented governance.

The reverred traditional ruler lamented that despite their achievements in reviving and repositioning the institution, that the institution is still facing the challenges of non accreditation of most of her courses by NCCE just as he commended the management efforts in  their plans to affiliate the institution to prime tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad starting with Imo State University, Owerri.

The Council Chairman further admonished the management on the need for them not to renege on the institution’s admission policy of one staff one student.

He further  revealed that in recent past he has severally paid an unscheduled visits to the school just to ascertain the sincere commitments of the management, staff and students of the institution as well as the pace of the ongoing infrastructural works and the extent of implementations of the school programmes, projects and policies.

Ohanweh informed that he’s always satisfied with his findings most especially the neatness of the serene academic environment and commitments of the management,staff and the students towards executions of their social responsibilities.

Adding her voice, Dr. Mrs Rose Opara, Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma, on  Imo State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma described Governor Uzodimma as education loving Governor and further gave kudos to his administration’s commitment towards the growth, advancement and transformation of education in the State.

Opara who hails from  Umualumaku Umuihim ancient community in Ehime Mbano council area of Imo State further commended Governor Uzodimma for his administration’s commitments in uplifting the institution into global order but enjoined the Governor to assist the institution in their efforts of getting their courses accredited so as to have more intake of students who will also graduate with  professional certificates.

She insisted that the accreditation of the College courses will be a pivot in the College vision and mission for socio economic enhancement as well as the state government, as the students will show them solidarity during and  even after elections.

The Special Adviser also commended the members of the College Governing Council as well as the management for their doggedness in uplifting the institution and advised them not to give up despite the challenges.

Opara reiterated the importance of getting the college courses accredited expressed satisfaction with the environmental location of the College and facilities therein, while advising Imolites and especially people from Okigwe Senatorial to maximize the college potentials by  sending their Wade’s and children their for good and excellent academic acquisitions.

Highlights of the meeting was projects inspections by members of the Governing council, the Governor’s Special Adviser and top management members of the College  led by HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanweh.

Ohanweh the essence of the over 2 hours  hectic infrastructural and facilities inspection visit was to ascertain the College level of readiness for the forthcoming NCCE accreditation team.

Among the council members in attendance were Prof. Polycarp Anyanwu, Prof A.O. Unamma,  Lady Dora Agusu, Lady Dora Mirikwe (represented the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education), Hon. Chidiebere Egboh and Rev. Philip Nwansi.

Others include Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Iheanetu, Mrs. Uchechi  Chijioke Soroibe, Mr. Uche Igboanusi and Mr.Onyemechara C. James.

Earlier in her address, Dr. Mrs. Chinyere  Nwachukwu, the Acting Provost of College expressed gratitude to Governor Uzodimma, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, the Chairman of the Governing Council and members of the council for their tremendous contributions in moving the institution to an enviable height since the inception of the council..

According to her, ” the College has progressively moved to an enviable height since the Governing Council came on board in June last year. On behalf of the management,,staff and students of this noble institution,we say a big thank you for the sacrifices you all have made for the revival and revamping of the college so as to be in par with similar tertiary institutions.

“At least when I attend meetings with other Heads of tertiary institutions in the State, I feel happy and delighted that we are not lagging behind. I am no longer shy when am in their midst, because I can honestly beat my chest in affirmation that our institution is historically doing well, both in qualitative academically and infrastructural developments”.

She pointed out that in less than one year, her administration has recorded well over 36 landmark achievements in terms of projects and programmes, among which includes, the inauguration of Women in Colleges of Education( a well attended national event),, hosted successfully the maiden College conference with reverred academia as guest speakers, construction of 3 toilet facilities  attached to the College Mini Conference Hall, fixing of the college academic block alumaco windows vandalized in 2020, installation of solar lights within the school premises which the host communities are equally enjoying and efforts have been intensified to acquire more.

Others include, an improved relationship with the host community, publication of 5000 copies of multi media educational  Journal of the college sponsored by Tetfund , renovation of the male hostel,the lecturers for the first time have participated in the institutional based researches as 7 lecturers of the institution participated in the one week TTT training in Enugu, to increase the intake of students we have launched operation show your student in which every lecturer is mandated to attract at least one student and the strategy is paying off.

She also informed that the College have 3 on going Tetfund sponsored building construction projects which she said have reached an advanced stage.

Nwachukwu lamented that the greatest problem of the institution is non accreditation of most of her core courses which she passionately appealed to the Governing Council to treat with uttermost priority.

The Acting Provost enjoined the Council to source for at least 50% of the needed funds before approaching the State Government for completion so as to enable the institution compete favourably with her contemporaries insisting that the College cannot talk of affiliation without getting their courses accredited by NCCE based on the required personnels, teaching aids and infrastructure.