By Elizabeth Osayande 

The Federal College of Education, Technical, Omoku, Rivers State has graduated 2,562 students during its combined 19th -23rd convocation ceremonies. 

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Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, who is also tne Visitor to the College, said the Federal Government has done well in the education sector.

Represented by the Director in-charge of Colleges of education in the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Dr. Uchenna Cecilia Uba, the Minister said the Federal Government has developed and strengthened critical policy frame works to guide the sector such as the National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Tertiary Institutions, Guidelines for the Establishment of new Tertiary 

Institutions, Operational Guidelines for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria among others.

He listed other achievements to include, the Dual Mandate Policy empowering some qualified Colleges of Education to award both the NCE and degree qualifications thereby 

expanding academic progression and institutionalize relevance, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) aimed at expanding access to tertiary education financing for indigent students across the country, the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) to enhance staff welfare, capacity building and professional development, the Students Venture Capital Grant (SVCG) initiative to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and expertise development among students etc.

He commended the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku for being one  of the most peaceful Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

In his goodwill message, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who spoke through the Head of Civil Service of Rivers State, Dr. Iningi Brown, congratulated the management, staff and students of the College for the rapid development and peace existing in the College and announced that to reduce unemployment in Rivers State, the state government is employing 5,000 teachers and urged the graduating students and others from the area not to miss the opportunity. 

Also in his address, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, commended the College for its smooth and unhindered academic and administrative activities and announced that the Commission has commenced a 

comprehensive review of the curriculum for Colleges of Education and the 2020 

Edition of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) Minimum Standards to 

enhance the quality of teacher education in Nigeria. 

The Acting Provost of the institution, Dr. Ndu Nwamadioke Felix Amadike, in his welcome address said the 2,562 students were made up of Degree, PDE and NCE students.

He listed some of his achievements within his few months in office as improvement in academic programmes which  aligned with the national and global standards, smooth academic and administrative activities.

He noted that with the commencement of the Dual Mandate, the College has expanded its programmes from 19 degree programmes to 34 in diverse areas of studies.