By Samuel Ogude & Patricha Major
The Provost, College of Education, Warri, Delta State, Dr. Dickson Oyovwi said the institution is poised to promote academic excellence. Dr. Oyovwi stated this today, Thursday, in briefing the press ahead of the institution’s 20th Convocation which covers 2011/2012 to 2021/2022 academic session where a total of 2,428 students would be graduating with 10 Distinctions, 522 Credits, 1534 Merits and 180 Passes.
According to him, when he assumed office on the 21st of June 2021, as first home bred Provost of the College, he liaised with the Management Team and started work in earnest by setting goals and targets and today, there are visible results.
He said:” On the first of June, I assumed office as first home bred Provost of this College..my Management Team and I hit the ground running, we set our goals, created new vistas and sought the co-operation of all stakeholders. We are proud to say, we are achieving our targets and even more.
According to the erudite Provost, the institution has achieved lots of things as it has started working on some of the inherited projects which include Student’s Hostel which is under construction based on Public Private Partnership Agreement saying, the project is now at roofing level adding, when completed, the hostel will accommodate 400 students.
According to him, apart from the above, there is entrepreneurial building sponsored by Tetfund saying, the house has been roofed awaiting completion and handover in the next few months. He said, the Management has also attracted a reasonable number of projects which include: Guidance and Counseling Department and office for Chief Lecturers sponsored by Tetfund, roofing of abandoned projects, in front of the Provost’s Office which is sponsored by Tetfund which will be soon completed and put into use.
According to him, others are damaged roofs and school building as a result of rainstorm which have been put in place, courtesy of Delta State Government and NNDC; the resolution of industrial dispute where 99 staff members earlier disengaged due to an alleged fraudulent employment which made them go to court, have been re-engaged and prompt payment of salary of workers including teaching practice allowances, among others.
The Provost said although, the institution is an NCE awarding one, it has affiliated with Delta State University, Abraka, University of Benin for Degree and Post graduate Diploma in Education(PGDE) programmes, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education saying, the prospect of the University is bright.
He said:” Although, we are an NCE awarding institution, we have affiliation arrangements with Delta State University, Abraka and University of Benin City for running Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Education”.
The Provost said however, despite these achievements, the institution is faced with challenges of the abandoned DESOPADEC main administrative building of the college, poor sanity condition due to flooding and therefore called on the state government and other intervening agencies such as NDDC and DESOPADEC to the assistance of the school.
The Provost used the medium to express gratitude to the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa for giving him the opportunity to serve in this capacity, the Governing Council led by Chief V.O.T Abanum for whose recommendation he was appointed, Prof. Mrs. Mary Edema who created good path way for him to pass through, the trade unions on campus namely, COEASU, SUCCOEN and NASU for creating a cordial industrial environment on campus saying, their agitation is what the school is enjoying today.