FG, Enugu Govt Hail FCE Eha-Amufu’s Transformation, Reaffirm Commitment to Teacher Education
By Wilfred Chukwuma
The Federal Government and the Enugu State Government have commended the management of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, under the leadership of Prof. Pauline Ngozi Ikwuegbu, for transforming the institution through massive infrastructural development, academic excellence and sound administration, while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening teacher education in Nigeria.
The commendation came on Friday during the College’s 34th Combined Convocation and Endowment Ceremony for the award of the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), Bachelor’s Degrees and Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) certificates.
Representing the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the Director of Colleges of Education, Dr Uchenna Cecilia Uba, described the level of infrastructural development recorded under Prof. Ikwuegbu’s administration as remarkable and fully aligned with the Federal Government’s vision of repositioning teacher education.
“I am overwhelmed by the level of infrastructural facilities provided by Prof. Pauline Ikwuegbu and her management team. While policy provides direction, effective institutional leadership translates policy into measurable results. The infrastructure here is outstanding and reflects significant progress in academic advancement and institutional development,” the Minister stated.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to comprehensive educational reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that education remains the bedrock of national development.
According to him, the Federal Government has continued to strengthen teacher education through strategic reforms, particularly the implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy, which empowers Federal Colleges of Education to award both the Nigerian Certificate in Education and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education.
He added that the policy, alongside sustained capacity-building programmes, was aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning across the country.
The Minister also commended the Governing Council led by Ambassador Prince Melu-Bari Akekue, members of staff, students, alumni and development partners for their collective contributions towards sustaining the institution’s growth.
He urged the graduating students to uphold the ethics, integrity and professionalism of the teaching profession and remain worthy ambassadors of their alma mater.
In his goodwill message, Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah of Enugu State, represented by his Special Adviser on Education Innovation and Director of Experiential Learning, Enugu Smart Green Schools, Dr Chinyere Onyeisi, described the convocation as both a celebration of academic excellence and a reaffirmation of the institution’s enduring contributions to teacher education and human capital development.
He said the college occupies a strategic place in the educational history of Enugu State and Nigeria, having consistently produced highly qualified teachers who continue to shape lives and transform communities.
“Through its commitment to excellence, the College has contributed immensely to building generations of educators who continue to shape minds and transform communities,” he stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Ambassador Prince Melu-Bari Akekue, described the ceremony as a celebration of academic excellence, institutional progress and the collective achievements of the college community.
According to him, the Governing Council has provided strategic leadership by ensuring the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s Dual Mandate Policy, strengthening institutional governance through the transparent appointment of substantive principal officers, including the Registrar and Bursar, while also expanding partnerships with key stakeholders.
He expressed optimism about the future of the institution, noting that the full implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy would position the college for greater national relevance and accelerated growth.
Akekue equally appreciated the support of the Minister of Education, Governor Peter Mbah, Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, and other notable supporters whose contributions have advanced the institution’s development.
Delivering her convocation address, the Provost, Prof. Pauline Ngozi Ikwuegbu, said the ceremony was organised to formally confer certificates on graduates who had successfully completed their academic programmes and were found worthy in learning and character.
She disclosed that 1,569 graduates successfully completed various programmes of the institution, including the Nigerian Certificate in Education, Bachelor’s Degrees and Professional Diploma in Education.
Addressing the graduating students, she urged them to distinguish themselves positively in society and uphold the values instilled in them during their years of study.
“My charge to you is simple: Be the difference,” she advised.
Reflecting on her eight-year administration, Prof. Ikwuegbu said her leadership was driven by a transformative vision anchored on the Three Rs—Rejuvenation, Reconstruction and Repositioning, a vision she said had now been fully realised.
From the extreme (l), Prof. Ikwuegbu, Minister’s Rep (2nd by l), Governor’s Rep (3rd by l) & Council chairman (4 by r)
She highlighted major achievements recorded during her tenure, including the construction, renovation and rehabilitation of academic and administrative buildings, improved staff and students’ welfare, strategic recruitment of personnel, staff development programmes and institutional capacity building.
Despite the remarkable progress, the Provost identified insecurity, inadequate funding and land encroachment arising from the absence of a perimeter fence as major challenges confronting the institution.
She appealed to the Federal Government, development partners and the private sector to sustain investments in Colleges of Education to further strengthen teacher education and national development.
The convocation attracted prominent personalities from different sectors, including the former Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Prof. Theresa Obumnaeme Okorie; representative of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Green Eleagu; Charles Uzodimma Ogbulogo; Evangelist Sam Maduka Onyishi, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of Maduka University; Hon. Chijioke Jonathan Edoga; the Executive Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, among several other dignitaries.
The Minister’s Rep commissioning one of the projects
The highpoint of the ceremony was the commissioning of several landmark projects executed by the outgoing Provost, including the School of Languages Complex, Agricultural Education Complex, Early Grade Resource Reading Centre, and the School of Adult, Non-Formal and Special Needs Education Complex, all aimed at strengthening teaching, learning and research in the institution.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
