The Provost of Federal College of Education (Technical), Isu, Ebonyi State, Prof. Okey Okechukwu, has emerged the overall best Provost in Nigeria.
The honour was presented to him at the national colloquium in honour of the Executive-Secretary, National Commission for the Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, in Abuja, on Thursday, by the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES).
NANCES President, Kur Isaac Ushahemba, who presented the award said the Provost was selected because of his silent but significant contributions to the welfare of students and the institution in general.
He acknowledged the fact that the Prof. Okechukwu is the most decorated Provost in Nigeria, and that could be due to his dedication to upholding academic standards, advocacy for the advancement and dignity of the NCE qualification, openness to engagement with stakeholders, including student bodies, and commitment to reforms.
The NANCES President also appreciated the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof. Okwelle, for his commitment to the reforms that has restored the reputation and pride of teachers, thereby, positioning the Colleges of Education for competitiveness and excellence.
The NANCES President said that Professor Okwelle’s tenure in NCCE has been defined by routine administration, vision, bold reforms, and a determined commitment to repositioning Colleges of Education within Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
“Under his leadership, the NCCE has strengthened quality assurance mechanisms, reinforced accreditation standards, and championed curriculum modernization to meet global realities most especially the signing of the dual mode for the colleges of education.
He has prioritized innovation, digital integration, and strategic reforms aimed at restoring confidence in teacher education,” he said.
The Provost, Prof. Okechukwu, in his remarks, appreciated NANCES for the recognition, stressing that the rewards might be the open recognition of the silent reforms introduced in the school which is evidently yielding the desired result.
He noted FCET Isu, Ebonyi State, is one of the youngest Federal College of Education in Nigeria having been established in 2019. “But we have been able to achieve a lot within the shortest period,” he said.
He appreciated the support that had come from all the stakeholders including the Council members, school community, academic and non-academic that have collectively resulted in the success achieved.
