Prof Ogbuagu's Day Of Glory In Umunze FCE(T)

Ogbuagu and Imagwe with others

Penultimate Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe (MON) visited Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra state on a fact finding mission.

Prof Josephat Ogbuagu was handy to receive the Presidential Adviser and took him on a tour round the College facilities, both at the temporary and permanent sites to view Prof J.O Ogbuagu’s led administration’s landmark achievements within the four years in office.

That feat attracted him a second term which has already started running, hence Imagwe visited Hon (Chief) Emma Uguru Ultra-modern lecture Hall, New lecture Theatre, School of Sciences complex, The Virtual library, the Main Library among others. He was impressed with what he saw and confirmed it.  

Comrade Imagwe brought hearty greetings from the President Dr Goodluck E. Jonathan and poured encomium on the Provost, Prof Ogbuagu and his Management team for their sterling and seasoned management style especially for the prudent use of the meager College allocation in areas like infrastructural maintenance, staff and students’ welfare as well as harmonious relationship that exists between the College and the host community.

He further commended the members of the College Governing Council for their selfless services and contributions towards the growth of the College, especially the Council Chairman Hon Danlami Saleh Yebu who he described as an astute administrator and seasoned democrat.

 Prof Ogbuagu and NANS

Imagwe advised the students to always embrace dialogue in all conflict resolutions, shun social vices and never allow themselves to be use by politician as agents of destruction and disunity especially during the forthcoming general elections.

 Moreover he appealed to both staff and students alike to join hands in protecting and safeguarding government properties while reiterating the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s led administration’s readiness and tireless efforts in transforming and eradicating decay in our education sector, as government has vowed that the education system must be restored to its original state of glory in this our country Nigeria.

He opined that government is committed to ensure a united and transformed Nigeria, and that the President has demonstrated this through the formulation and implementation of the right policies and display of maturity in handling turbulences and challenges in this country.

Comrade Imagwe pointed out some of the President’s achievements in transforming the areas such as the Education Sector, Power Sector, Health Sector, Transportation Sector, Agricultural Sector etc, and pleaded that all the President needs from every citizen is prayer and support for him to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams and the Nigeria that our founding fathers fought for.

In his address presented during the visit, the Chairman of the Students’ Caretaker Committee Mr Charles Anya appreciated the great efforts of the President, His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in ensuring total overhaul and transformation of education system in Nigeria.

He stated that Mr. President has diligently carried forward the implementation of the agenda for National transformation in areas such as Power, the rehabilitation and expansion of National infrastructure, education and employment generation. 

Furthermore, Anya seized the opportunity to pray to His Excellency the President through the SSA on Youth and Student Affairs to assist the Students of the College with the construction of a standard Students’ Union Secretariat and a sound vehicle for the smooth running of the students activities, while reiterating his committee’s readiness to employ dialogue as the best option in resolving conflicts no matter the level of provocation. Comrade Anya also commended Professor Ogbuagu and the College Management for taking the College to higher pedestal.

Imagwe and his entourage were warmly received by the Provost, other members of the College Management, Deans of Schools, Heads of Departments, and the members of the students’ caretaker committee , even as presentation of an award of excellence by the College student caretaker committee to the President His Excellency Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan through his SSA on Youth and Student Affairs for his outstanding achievements and transformation agenda which is positively affecting the lives of students in Nigeria was an highlight.

Meanwhile at the second function, the members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) conferred an award of excellence on Prof. J.O. Ogbuagu as the most outstanding Chief Executive of the year in South-South/ South-East.

The award of excellence was presented to the Provost by the Executive Council NANS Zone B at a well attended ceremony in the Council Chambers of the College.

In his remarks before the Award Presentation, the leader of the delegation Comrade Chinonso Obasi commended Prof. Ogbuagu for the total transformation and development activities in the College within four years of his administration.

Obasi stated clearly that Prof. Ogbuagu have made landmark achievements in the College especially in the areas of infrastructural development, attracting degree awarding status to the College, provision of amenities for the students’ well being among others. He also scored the Provost high terms of transparency, accountability and astute management of human resources.

Comrade Obasi informed the gathering that the Executive members of NANS have paid unscheduled fact finding visits to the College on more than two occasions and pointed out that the College stands out as one of the best Colleges of Education in the country.

He stated that the harmonious nomination of Prof. J.O. Ogbuagu as the most outstanding Chief Executive of the year is entirely on merit and in recognition of his selfless service especially in the Nigerian Education Sector. He also informed the Provost and the College Management that the College has also been designated as the fastest growing tertiary institution in the South-South/ South-East zone which he attributed to Prof Ogbuagu’s hard work. 

He congratulated the Provost and urged him to continue his good works in the College and informed him that the team from the Presidency led by Comrade Jude Imagwe (SSA to the President on Youths and Student Affairs) visited him to lend credence to the nomination of the Provost for this prestigious award.

Obasi conferred the award on Prof. J.O. Ogbuagu on behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and presented an award of excellence certificate as the most outstanding Chief Executive of the year amidst cheers and applause from his colleagues and the staff of the College.

In his brief remarks after the award, Prof Ogbuagu thanked the National Association of Nigerian Students for the award and reiterated the readiness of his administration to make the College a model in the country and stated that the award will spur him to work harder for the benefit of all.  The Provost also commended the members of the College Management, Staff and Students for their cooperation which made the success story in the College possible.  Prof Ogbuagu thanked God for His grace and prayed for God’s blessing on the members of National Association of Nigerian Students and the College community. 

The Provost also stated that the College will be fully represented during the forthcoming NANS Convention at Akamkpa, Cross River and pledged to support the association at all times.

Nation recalls that National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B had earlier in a letter dated 28^th January, 2014 notified Prof J.O. Ogbuagu of the award.  The letter which was signed by Comrade Chinonso Obasi (NANS Zone B Coordinator) and Comrade Ekutu Richard (Zonal Secretary) read in part:  In solidarity to your amiable and uncommon transformation in Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze , I wish to formally inform you that NANS have recommended you as the most outstanding Chief Executive of the year in South South; South East and your school also as the fastest growing Tertiary Institution in the zone courtesy of your efforts.  This recommendation come up as a result of a singular opportunity we had with Mr President Dr Goodluck Jonathan on an interactive session where he presented his transformation agenda on Education sector.  After the meeting, he gave NANS the mandate to recommend Schools that have done well.

Other members of delegation from National Association of Nigerian Students that conferred the award on the Provost include: Comrade Ofoka Nancy (Director for Special Duties), Comrade Chucks Obele, and Comrade Ugaba Christian.

All the members of the College Management, Deans of the seven schools and other staff of the College were present during the award presentation ceremony.