By Kelechukwu Iruoma

THE former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has called on the Federal Government to elevate the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State to a full-fledged special university of education (technical). He said such step would widen students’ access to higher degrees in technical education and equip them with employable skills.

Dr. Ezeife made the appeal during the special silver jubilee celebration, which was part of activities that heralded the recent 23rd convocation of the college.

Speaking on the topic, The Nascent of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze in the South East of Nigeria: The Growth, Impacts and Strategic Plans for Tomorrow, he said the college stood a better chance of becoming a centre of excellence for quality vocational, technical and science education programme in the south east geo-political zone of the country.

Renewed appeals for the elevation of the college to a university were also made at different occasions by other stakeholders. The pioneer provost of the college, who is currently the traditional ruler of Azia community, Prof. Titus Eze, had at the silver jubilee celebration of the institution called for the upgrading of the college to model university of education.

Also, the former Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Boniface Egboka, said the college should be granted the autonomy to award degrees in order to satisfy the increasing yearning for higher education by Nigerian students.

Prof Egboka, who was chairman of the pre-convocation lecture of the college, expressed satisfaction with the improved state of infrastructure in the college under the leadership of Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu as provost. He said the institution has developed the pedigree and capacity to become a university, with focus on vocational, technical and science subjects.