By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO
LOKOJA – The Provost, Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba, Dr. Awo Komolafe has refuted the allegation that the governing council of the institution recruited over 200 staffs at the eve of the ongoing screening exercise.

Speaking during the State budget defence for Education Ministry, the Provost accompanied by the registrar, John Amobeda and other management team also provided useful document before the committee to back up their argument.

The registrar of the institution, John Amobeda who was at the center of the storm, when questioned by the members of the House on his role said granting employment to people was not his responsibility but that of the governing council.

“The last time the council exercised that power was when they appointed the principal officers and officers for accreditation in September 2015
That was almost six months before the verification exercise.

“Since the inception of this Government and dissolution of the council no appointment had been made in the college. That report was not true.”

Amobeda said the nominal roll of the school stands at 238; made up of academic and non- academic staff, which was presented for accreditation in 2015; stressed that its still the same figures that existed even at the moment, “The number of students at the moment is 307 but admission in to year one is ongoing.

The issue of the number of staff is not a function of the number of students as the required number of staff must be available for any school to be accredited.”

The House Committee Chairman on Education, Abdullkareem Kekere said that their intention was not to witch-hunt the management of the college, but rather, to foster transparency in the management process.

He said the purported news on the recruitment of over 200 staff by the management of the institution at the eve of screening exercise is condemn able and not acceptable by the State House of Assembly.

He admonished the college to be up and doing, said the management should uphold the rules of engagement, project the image of the state positively in a bid to liberate technical education in the state.