ABUJA – Some stakeholders in the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) on Thursday in Abuja expressed their delight over the upgrading of the institution to a University of Education.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the upgrade of four Federal Colleges of Education to universities of education.
The are Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; Federal College of Education, Zaria; Federal College of Education, Kano; and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri.
Mr Uche Okoroafor, a member of the Governing Board of AIFCE, said it was a welcome development, adding that it was a result of concerted efforts of stakeholders.
“We all worked for it and we thank the FEC for deeming it fit to grant such approval; it is a big plus to the sector and we are grateful to Mr President.
“We assure Nigerians of good and quality education, especially in the area of teacher education which is production of lecturers and teachers.’’
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On his part, Mr Chris Egbulem, the Public Relations Officer, AIFCE, said the entire school community was excited over the development.
According to him, it is a blessing to the teaching profession as it will bring discrimination to an end.
“In the case of Alvan, some of the lecturers have been associate professors, readers for the past 16 to 17 years.
“It made it look as if those in the universities are better than them; it is not true. With this development, some of them will soon be professors.’’
Mr Goddy Njoku, an educationist and alumnus of the college, said that AIFCE, under the new status, had what it required to operate effectively in terms of human resources and infrastructure.
He said that the college was among the first higher institutions in Nigeria to set up a micro-teaching laboratory, which was donated by UNESCO.
“Most of our lecturers are Ph.D holders; besides, our structures are comparable to those of any federal university in Nigeria.
“The hostels are in good condition and are not overcrowded, as obtainable in most universities,’’ he added.
Njoku commended the FEC for the gesture, adding that it was long overdue. (NAN)
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