By Patrick Ochei
The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba and Vice Chairman, Committee of Colleges of Education, Dr. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa has urged the new entrants into the College to avoid social media distractions and work hard towards achieving excellence in their academic pursuits.
She made this assertion while delivering her speech at the 35th Matriculation Ceremony of the College, which held recently, at the College Main Auditorium.
The Provost who spoke to the students as a mother, appealed to them to focus on their studies and avoid all forms of anti-social behaviours capable of jeopardising their future.
Aside reeling out the dangers of cultism, hooliganism, burglary, indecent dressing, examination malpractices, sexual assault, etc; the cerebral educationist warned that the students must desist from exclusive engagements in social media to enable them strive towards achieving their aims and objectives academically.
While acknowledging the development of critical infrastructure through the TET-FUND special interventions in the College, Dr. Anene-Okeakwa encouraged the students to adequately utilise the array of facilities at their disposal for their mental and social development.
According to her, “While I welcome all our guests to this epoch making event and congratulate our new entrants for their successful admission, let me inform you that this College was established in 1987 to produce professionals in education. We are reputed for academic excellence, industrial peace and harmony.
“We have over the years sustained this academic record and the evidence is showing in our products who are excelling in their various fields of endeavours all over the world. Recently, we have over 4500 graduates who had been inducted into the teaching profession of the College and we are currently processing the next batch of inductees to become recognised as qualified teachers who can practice anywhere in the world.
“You are privileged to have been admitted into the College, whereas many are out there seeking admission that they couldn’t get. We keep to standard here and can never engage in anything that will bring down the standard of education. You must know that the root of education could be bitter, but the fruit is certainly sweet. Here we can boast of adequate teaching and non teaching staff with immense motivation to work. For the routine accreditation of college programmes by the regulatory body, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), our college successfully hosted the accreditation team few weeks ago, and presented all academic programmes. We are confident that we shall retain full accreditation for all our programmes.
“We have enjoyed enormous TET-FUND Staff Training/ Development Interventions and also interventions in infrastructure. Thus, this College has the capacity for world-class education in an atmosphere of international best practices”, stated the Provost.
The Provost equally, commended the management team of the College, academic board, teaching and non teaching staff, various unions including the Students’ Union Government and the Asagba-in-Council for their cordial working relationships. She appreciated all for their support, insisting that they had provided her with the needed cordiality for academic development and excellence.
She nonetheless, advised the students to align themselves with the prevalent atmosphere of peace and harmony, so as not to compromise the reputation and accolades the College had garnered over the years. By this, she affirmed that they can graduate with flying colours and become illustrious alumni of the College, reputable Ambassadors of their families and worthy citizens of this country in the years to come.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of matriculation oath to the matriculants by the Registrar of the institution, Mr. Rotimi Adepoju. In all, a total of 239 students were confirmed matriculated by the Provost.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Matriculation Organising Committee and Director of Consultancy Services, Mr. John Okara eulogized all and sundry that made the event worthwhile.
