* This event signals commencement of the institution in the town. The college has been designed to run NCE and degree programmes – Provost
By John Odunjo
Ilawe Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government area of Ekiti State erupted in joy on Monday as the Federal College of Education sited in the community officially takes off.
That day, officials of the federal and state governments and as well principal staff of the school were in Ilawe Ekiti for the official take over of the temporary and permanent sites of the institution by the Federal Ministry of Education to signal its commencement.
The traditional ruler of the community, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Adebanji Alabi, led his subjects who trooped out in their numbers amid drumming and dancing to celebrate the all important development.
The enthusiastic residents began trooping to the palace of the traditional ruler as early as 8am to await the arrival of the federal delegation and that of the state government before moving to the permanent site and then the temporary site where the event took place.
Among indigenes present were the acting Chairman of the community’s Federal College of Education Implementation Committee, Prof. Sola Odeyemi; the Chairman, Ekiti South West Council, Richard Apolola; former chairman of the council, Chief Lanre Omolase; Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Social Investment Programmes, Hon. Yemisi Ayokunle; Special Adviser Media to the Alawe, Chief Olubunmi Ajibade; the Elemo of Oke Emo, Chief Gbenga Agbona; and Chief Sunday Jegede.
Speaking at the event, Oba Alabi, a former Chairman of Ekiti Traditional Rulers Council, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for establishing the new Federal College of Education in the community, promising that the community would reciprocate the gesture by giving the necessary support in whatever way possible.
The monarch particularly thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the tertiary institution for the community and as well appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for following it up to the implementation level.
Oba Alabi said, “This is a dream come true and we are glad for it. As a grateful community, we will continue to support all the people-oriented programmes of the federal and state governments
“Besides, we want to assure that as a responsible community, we will take direct owner ownership by making sure the school is well protected even as we ask for more”, the oba said.
The traditional ruler advised landlords in the community that as they bask in the euphoria and opportunity provided by the new institution, they should not hike house rents and prices of food stuffs and services as such would make life difficult for workers and students.
The leader of the Federal Government delegation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Andrew Adejo, said establishment of the school was a practical demonstration of the Federal Government’s determination to expand educational opportunities and invest in the training of future educators.
Adejo, represented by the Director of Colleges of Education in the ministry, Dr Uchenna Uba, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to provision of quality education and fostering intellectual growth across the country.
He said, “This College of Education will serve as a hub of knowledge, innovation and inspiration for aspiring educators. By establishing this institution, we are not just constructing physical structures; we are laying the foundation for a brighter and more educated future for Nigeria”.
The State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Kofoworola Aderiye, congratulated the Ilawe community for the siting of the institution in the community, expressing gratitude to the federal Government.
Aderiye, whose speech was delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Mr Michael Omolayo, praised the community for already making available, a total of 107 hectares of land for its permanent site, saying the site had been surveyed by state Surveyor-General, for further necessary action.
She pledged that the state government “will continue to provide necessary support to ensure the smooth take-off of the college in Ekiti State,” adding, “This (institution) will further improve access to qualitative education at the tertiary level for our teeming youths and thereby ensure provision of quality manpower for teaching and learning in Ekiti State for global relevance”.
She announced that the erstwhile facility of the Government Girls College, Ilawe-Ekiti, which was built by the Federal Government, had also been temporarily released for the take off of the Federal College of Education, pending the development of the permanent site.
The Provost of the college, Dr Gbade Ikuejube, who led the principal officers to the programme, said that the event signalled commencement of the institution in the town, adding that the college was designed to run NCE and degree programmes.
Ikuejube, who canvassed support of residents to the institution, especially in the area of building hostels, assured that the community and state would benefit immensely from the vocational programmes and robust town and gown relationship that would be instituted.
The provost said that the college would run courses in Education, Sciences and Technology, while plans are also to extend the trend to vocational and allied studies, in order to produce job creators.
