VALEDICTORY ADDRESS PRESENTED BY FORMER PROVOST PROFESSOR BLESSING C. IJIOMA

 

The former Provost, Prof. (Mrs.) Blessing C. Ijioma

I was appointed the first female and the 11^th substantive Chief Executive of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri on June 16^th, 2010 and took over from the then acting Provost, Dr. H.C. Amadi on July 6^th, 2010. Since then the College has experienced a renaissance, consolidating on its core mandate, adding new programmes, Schools, directorates, units and the Professional Diploma in Education (a post-graduate programme in conjunction with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN).

In September 2010, the College held its 22^nd convocation ceremony and the first after 14years. In all, three convocation and seven matriculation ceremonies were held under my Provostship. My administration achieved giant strides in human capital development, infrastructural development, ethics and morality, academics, team teaching, linkage and collaboration, supply of office equipment and furniture, sports development and student relationships.

My administration returned this College to the glory days of it being the primus inter pares of Colleges of Education. During this period excellence became the watchword, staff made efforts to perform according to international best practices. The level of transparency and accountability increased tremendously. Agencies like the TETFUND have commended the College for judicious and efficient use of funds while the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU)  praised the efforts of the Management in fighting corruption.

NEW PROGRAMMES

Several new programmes, courses, units and the establishment of a new school, the school of General Studies were introduced.

Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) – started in 2012/2013 academic year. The PDE is a post-graduate programme accredited by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). Graduates are admitted into master’s programmes in education in Nigeria.  The pioneer class passed out at the 2013 Convocation ceremony.

NEW SCHOOLS

School of General Studies:  In the 2012/2013 academic year, the former General Studies Unit was upgraded to a full School with five departments: Languages and Humanities, Basic Sciences, Civic and Social Issues, ICT, Entrepreneurship Studies.

School of Early Childhood and Primary Education was established in 2014.

NEW DEPARTMENTS

Department of Special Education (School of Education) – Started in the 2012/2013 academic year.  The Head of Department and staff undertook a three-week training in Canada studying special education methods in Vancouver Island University and in the school system of British Columba, Canada.

Department of Adult and Non-Formal Education (School of Education) – Started in the 2012/2013 session.

Department of Technical Education (School of Agric. & Vocational Services) – Started in the 2012/2013 academic year.

Department of Primary Education.

Department of Teaching Practice – TP Unit was upgraded to a department in 2013.

Six departments were prepared for resource inspection to offer degree courses: Department of Primary Education, Department of Technical Education, Department of Special Education, Department of Adult Education, Department of Theatre Arts Education and Department of Library Education.

DIRECTORATES/UNITS ESTABLISHED

– Academic Planning Unit:  Established in the 2010/2011 session. The unit plans the academic calendar, collates statistics and other data and designs content of new programmes and courses.  It also serves as a link with the NCCE, NUC, etc and spearheads the drawing and implementation of the College strategic plan.

– Directorate of Academic Collaboration and  Linkages: the College established a relationship with the Vancouver Island University, British Columbia, Canada.   I signed a memorandum of understanding on 19^th August 2013 for staff and student exchange between the two institutions. Dr. Graham Pikes, the Dean of International Education signed on behalf of the University.

– Directorate of Entrepreneurship Education.

– Directorate of Gender and Youth Education.

– Directorate of Research.

– Directorate of Counselling.

– Directorate of Information & Communication Technology.

UNITS

Alvana Voluntary Service, Quality Assurance Unit, Admission Unit, Anti-corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), Servicom, Environment, Sanitation Unit.

Community Service/ALVANA VOLUNTEER SERVICE

As part of its community social responsibilities, AIFCE through my vision inaugurated the Alvan Volunteer Service (AVS) which is made up of a corps of staff members who donate their time, energies and personal resources to various humanitarian activities.

The AVS members organised the following programmes:

• 2012 – Trained 200 teachers in Ohaji Egbema LGA, Imo State
• 2013 – Trained 400 teachers in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Imo State
• 2014 – Trained 200 Secondary school teachers in Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State.
• 2015 – 200 classroom teachers were trained in Ihitte Uboma LGA, Imo State, organised a debate and essay competitions in English and Igbo Languages for secondary Schools in Imo State, conducted extra-mural lessons in Physics practical for WASSCE candidates of Emekuku High School and Uratta Secondary School.
• 2016 – Trained 220 classroom teachers in Ideato North LGA, Imo State.

They regularly organised debates and quiz competitions for secondary schools in the six educational zones of Imo State.

The Management also maintained an excellent relationship with the Imo State Government, traditional rulers and elders of the host communities.

Affiliation (UNN)

All affiliation fees were promptly paid and the recommendations of various UNN visitation teams carried out.  The improved relationship with the UNN  paid off in the speedy release of student results and certificates and improved mobilisation time for NYSC.  The UNN in 2013 conducted a facility and manpower tour for the location of post-graduate programmes.

LIBRARY

The College Library received a massive turn-around:

• Library Building renovated with new roof and tiles.
• A virtual Library section housing a dozen internet-ready computers installed.
• New books, journals and periodicals sourced from Nigeria and Overseas to improve the collection
• 50KVA generator installed to ensure regular supply of power
• Attracted cartons of books and library materials from the Emeka Offor foundation.
• Activated the moribund bindery section of the library
• Sponsored Library staff abroad for training
• Arrangements to subscribe the College Library to an e-library system
• many machines bought and installed.

It is mandatory to note that the Federal Government via the Federal Ministry of Education and its many agencies continuously supported the College, providing leadership, oversight and funds during my tenure.

The administration repaid this trust by judiciously deploying funds to pay and train personnel, improve the physical infrastructure around the campus and bring Alvan into the 21^st century.

Accreditation Exercises

Within the period under review the College had three accreditation exercises as follows:

1. National University Commission (NUC) accredited twenty-four B.Ed programmes in 2014; eighteen programmes got full accreditation while six programmes got interim accreditation.
2. In 2016, the six programmes were re-presented and got full accreditation. Also in 2016, twenty-four programmes were presented for accreditation under the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and all the programmes got full accreditation.
3. In 2017, new programmes of Technical Education, Adult and Non-formal Education and Special Needs Education obtained full accreditation at NCCE level. Eight NCE programmes had also been prepared for accreditation resource inspection before I left office in September 2017, for the award of Bachelor Degrees.

TRAINING/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

Sponsorships came via TETFUND grants, STEP-B and other sundry agencies and internally generated revenues. I made it a point of duty to efficiently deploy sponsorship opportunities to beneficiaries.

In 2011, fifty-nine (59) staff members were trained for their Masters and PhD. Five (5) of them were trained overseas.

Between 2012 – 2016, a total of one hundred and thirty-three  (133) staff were trained with twelve (12) of them sent overseas. Within this period also there were seven (7) book manuscripts beneficiaries and twenty-four (24) institutional based group research beneficiaries as listed below. There was indeed an intellectual harvest during this period. All thanks to TETFUND.

AIFCE TETFUND Institutional Based Group Research Beneficiaries2012 -2016

Infrastructural Development

The AIFCE campus during my Provostship experienced an enormous infrastructural upgrade. Before the advent of my administration, there was a terrible infrastructural decay. Most buildings were still carrying roofs of over 50 years of age and really looked unsightly.

At the end of my tenure the following new structures were on the ground:

• 12 two storey buildings (there was only one, the ERC building when I came on board).
• 4 one storey buildings.
• 4 bungalows.
• 6 security booths.
• 1 farmhouse and 1 Green House.
• 3 (1000) capacity lecture theatres; two are completed (inherited 2 and completed them).
• 1 indoor Gymnasium building inherited and now almost completed.
• 1 completed bridge across Nworie river.
• 3 blocks of minimarts with 50 mini stalls.
• 1 uncompleted bridge across the river (inherited).
• Uncompleted interdenominational Jubilee Chapel.
• Re-roofing and renovation of the old buildings.
• furnishing of all existing structures.

All the renovations in the Shell Camp area were done by this administration with re-roofing and renovation of two-thirds of all structures on the main campus.

Equipment

Hundreds of equipment were purchased: computers, Special Needs aids, farm machines, Kiln for the Fine Arts dept., Language Laboratory machines, Science Laboratory fittings, and others for the Library, Technical Education dept., Educational Technology dept., Music dept., Home Economics Dept., Entrepreneurship study materials etc.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

To bring the College up to par with global best practices, I instituted an ICT team in 2012 to drive the ICT policies in the College. The team was later upgraded to a full Directorate to better cater to and deliver on ICT needs of a modern institution envisioned as a centre for excellence in ICT.

A massive two-storey building computer centre has been completed and equipped to train students and staff.

ICT developments in the College are:

• Approved the funding and equipping of a standard computer laboratory for the primary school, housing 20 desktop computers.
• Funded the equipping of computer laboratories for the departments of business education and computer science with very high-quality desktops.
• Funded and installed interactive boards in all the schools of the College to facilitate teaching and learning.
• Attracted the refurbishing and equipping of a computer laboratory at the centre of excellence building by the First City Monument Bank (FCMB). This modern computer lecture theatre/laboratory has internet infrastructure with fifty high processor powered mini desktops. The laboratory is powered by an inverter system that was functional round the clock.
• The College ICT unit assisted on a method of electronically tracking students that have evaded payment of fees and under her supervision have recovered monies totalling millions of Naira that would have otherwise become lost IGR funds from graduating and national service bound students.
• The ICT Unit has trained College staff, Deans, Heads of Departments and units, exam officers and admin officers attached to Schools and departments, degree exams and admissions units, NCE Exams in computation and publishing of results electronically.
• The ICT Unit handled course registration and publishing of students results.

Consultancy Services

The Management under me expanded the services and activities of the College Consultancy Unit. Firstly, we completed and commissioned the table water business. A 50KVA power generating plant was purchased to boost their operations. The Alvana table water now fully caters to the bottled and sachet water needs of the College community and several neighbourhoods in Owerri metropolis. Two delivery vans were acquired to facilitate product distribution.

In 2013, the Consultancy Unit established a block industry located across the Nworie River end of the campus. It was planned that when operating at full capacity, the block industry will supply all the blocks needed for construction in the college.

Other notables are:

• Completion of several rows of shops (totalling over 20 lock-up stores) adjacent the G hostel
• Debt recovery totalling some millions – being a backlog of fees owed by vendors and businesses located on the campus (some of the debts dated back five years).
• The construction of a two storey block of 30 shops and 3 rows of minimart blocks with 50 mini-shops were concluded. This minimart area was designed to gather traders scattered all over the campus.
• The Consultancy operates a security outfit (Alvan Ventures) that trains and provides security officers to the College.
• The College bookshop was refurbished and equipped. It is now a source of IGR to the College.
• 120 nursery, primary and secondary school teachers employed to teach in the demonstration secondary schools.    

The College Counselling and Human Development Centre

A College Counselling and Human Development Centre was established on 21^st September, 2012. The College Counselling Centre offers a wide range of voluntary and confidential counselling services to the students and the entire community. The Centre was designed to help students cope with the challenges in their personal, academic, social, physical and spiritual life which could affect the development of their general wellbeing.

The Centre’s services are all confidential: information shared with the counselling centre is never released without written consent.  The services provided at the centre are delivered through individual counselling, group counselling, seminar presentations and workshops. The focus of the centre is to promote human development through self-accomplishment. Services include student behaviour skill, crisis intervention, short-term individual counselling, group counselling, alcohol and other drug counselling, coping with stress, peer education, consultations, anxiety and depression management, finances, community service etc. 

HEALTH SERVICES

The Medical Centre has received serious ‘surgery’ to turn it around and make it functional to service the needs of students and staff.

• Renovation of the building housing the medical centre.
• Ensuring the steady supply of drugs and pharmaceuticals and repair of broken down medical equipment.
• Installing an X-ray machine.
• Securing approval to operate as a service provider to the National Health Insurance Scheme.
• Boosting the staff strength with additional doctors, nurses, health technologists and pharmacists and training and re-training medical personnel in Nigeria and overseas.
• Approved the commencement of the student health insurance scheme.

Entrepreneurship Centre

The Centre serves as a hub for growth and development of sustainable entrepreneurship culture among students and staff. The Centre is business oriented and is expected to contribute to internally generated revenue through the sale of goods and products

Arrangements have been completed with the Industrial Development Centre (IDC) Owerri to work in partnership with the college for the training of our students on entrepreneurship.

SERVICOM and ACTU

In line with the Federal Government’s policy, we instituted SERVICOM and ACTU units in the College. My administration steadfastly supported these units.

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

In 2013, the College became 50 years old. We recognised the need to joyously mark the golden jubilee. A planning committee was set up to plan and deliver a jubilee celebration worthy of our great College. Staff, students, unions and alumni were all incorporated in the planning.

The highlights of the jubilee celebrations included pageant shows, quiz and essay writing competitions, art and music exhibitions, a road walk, novelty, media events, unveiling of the giant commemorative obelisk, alumni lecture, a gala night, commissioning of completed projects and naming of buildings around the College after eminent people (Prof. B Ukeje and Sir Nathan Ejiogu). Several persons that played a pivotal role in the College’s history were also honoured with Legend awards (Prof. Ernest Emenyonu, Dr. Dan Onwukwe, Pa Irondi etc). To cap the Golden Jubilee celebrations, a convocation ceremony for NCE graduates and the first batch of PDE graduates was held.

DEMONSTRATION CENTRES

The three demonstration centres (Nursery, Primary, Secondary) of the College have been re-engineered to better reflect learning centres run by a first-class College of Education.

• Sponsorship of three science students and two tutors to represent Africa at a science technology exhibition in Brazil in 2011.
• Renovation of the secondary school building.
• Completed perimeter fencing of the secondary school compound and creation of a car park.
• Construction of a two storey building housing workshops, classrooms, a library and staff rooms at the secondary section.
• Modern laboratories completed for use in external examinations.
• Sponsorship of the Principal to Malaysia for an International Conference in Science and Technology Education, 2013.
• Construction of a new school block in the nursery section.
• Computer laboratory fitted and installed with computers in the primary section.
• Furnishing the secondary school library.
• Construction of a two storey building in the primary section housing classrooms and staff rooms.
• Increasing the staff strength in the centres especially in core areas of the sciences, mathematics and English language.
• Completion and furnishing a one-storey laboratory building.

ALVANA MICROFINANCE BANK

As Chairman of the Board of the Microfinance bank, I worked with the Board and Management to ensure that the bank does not go the way of many Microfinance banks in the country.

• Holding of an annual general meeting for the first time in many years.
• Pushing for and achieving an increase in the staff salary and emoluments of bank staff thereby shoring up morale.
• Pushing for and delivering on digitizing bank operations.
• Directing that the College conduct many transactions like fee payments, accommodation fees and other sundry fees to strengthen the bank’s business.
• Pushing for the bank to grant loans and other facilities to staff at competitive rates.
• Encouraging the bank to play by the rules of the CBN
• Relocating the bank to a conducive environment for business.

Today, the bank is healthier and stronger.

Student Relationship

Management had a good relationship with students during my tenure as Provost. Democratic and proper leadership ideals were entrenched in the student government electoral process and the students themselves confessed that the campus experience was conducive and continuously improving. Highlights include:

• Re-roofed, renovated and re-tooled the hostels (replacing water closets with squat toilets that are more efficient in serving a large number of users, rebuilt kitchens, drains and built new septic tanks).
• Recruited environmental officers (first time in the College) to monitor cleaning contractors and ensure hygienic conditions are maintained all around the College. (Classrooms, canteens, food, water, hostels and offices).
• Purchased a Tata big truck for the carting away of refuse in the College.
• New female hostel completed in the main campus.
• 2012-2013 SUG led by Mr. Orient Nwadike was sponsored to a 3 – day leadership in the Pastoral Centre, Owerri.
• Student leaders including elected officials and student religious leaders in October, 2013 visited American University in Dubai and the University of Dubai and interacted with faculty and students.
• Bursary awards were given to students to encourage them: In 2011, 46 students; in 2012, 150 students; 2013, 106 students; 2014, 100 students; 2015, 102 students and 2016, 96 students received bursaries.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES ON CAMPUS

This administration encouraged religious activities on campus. Our slogan was: “If God does not build a city in vain do workmen strive and if God does not watch over a nation in vain do the sentries keep awake.” As Provost, I worked closely with the Christian students on campus; the Joint Christian campus fellowship (JCCF), the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) and the Nigerian Corpers Fellowship.

Solemn Assemblies were organised regularly and the staff and students had the opportunity for praying and serving the Most High God as a community. Also, thanksgiving services were held yearly in July in the two chaplaincies in the College. These were the times the community came together to thank God for his mercies and kindness. The 7^th edition was held in the Christ The King Chaplaincy before my exit from office.

During the Golden Jubilee celebrations, the foundation of the interdenominational Jubilee Chapel was laid.

Challenges

During the period I was in office, there were some challenges. In addition to the usual office stress, associated with the day to day running of the College, power outage and irregular water supply posed real problems. Funding of the College from the Federal Government began to dwindle from 2016 and it put Management under stress. A substantial amount of the internally generated revenue (IGR) was spent on diesel and fuel for electric generating sets on campus. The Issue of maintenance of environmental sanitation in the campus was another problem. Management had to deal with refuse generated from the community, the menace of hawkers, the cleaning of hostels and classrooms and some unhygienic practices. The College employed environmental officers and beefed up security with Alvana Ventures security and others. These inputs improved the environment considerably.

The University Status issue

On May 22^nd, 2015 Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri with three other Colleges of Education was upgraded to a University status. This was with a significant input from the College and the assistance of the then Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri. The present administration of the Federal Government, however, placed the upgrade on hold. This one action precipitated a lot of tension in the erstwhile calm campus with disappointment and misplaced aggression. However, due process for the upgrade of the College and others has reached an advanced stage with positive recommendations already made. The end is definitely not far from now.

During the period of my Provostship, there was an event when some students demonstrated over the issue of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) fees and the College stand on the male and female visiting hours for students in the hostels. By the grace of God, things settled, issues were resolved and I enjoyed a good and pleasant student-staff relationship until my exit from office.

I appreciate the students for their mature and supportive stand throughout my stay in the College. You are the Provosts of the future.

I appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, for the opportunity and the support I enjoyed during my tenure in Alvan.

I also wish to especially appreciate Prof. James Atu Alachi with his Council for the role he played in my appointment as Provost of A.I.F.C.E Owerri. I thank the members of the Governing Councils I worked with, Prince Oyinlola led Council and towards the end, Hon. A. A. Alex-Hart led Council,  the send-off committee, the Management of the College, staff, friends and well-wishers of the Alvan community.

I don’t forget the Eze Imo, HRH Eze Samuel Ohiri and the Traditional rulers and elders of the host communities of the College for their unflinching support.

I thank my families (Ufegbu and Ijioma), brothers, sisters and family members, friends, neighbours, my Christian brethren everywhere and my church.

I thank specially the Prelate of  Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence S.C.K Uche, Bishop Dennis O. Mark, Methodist Bishop of Owerri Diocese and Bishop Shedrach Ubani of Fulfilled Apostolic Church.

Also Bishop Ngozi Durueke, Mummy Teresa, Rev. Fathers, all the Pastors and intercessors who prayed for me.

Above all, I thank God Almighty and give Him all the glory for His love and support, “for every house is built by some men, but He that built all things is God” (Heb. 3:4).

God bless you all as you join me to sing:

1. I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

3. I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

4. I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Prof. Blessing C. Ijioma

Provost, AIFCE

2010 -2017