8,777 students to graduate at Federal College of Education, Osiele
ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Known for its academic excellence, no fewer than 8,777 students will be graduating at the 24th Convocation ceremony of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta, on Thursday, October 3rd, 2019.
The total figure representing a combined five academic sessions of graduating students from 2013/2014 session to 2017/2018 session, and it comprises of students in the full time, part time and sandwich programmes respectively.
At a media briefing held on Friday at the college, Provost of the College, Dr. Adetayo Ajayi briefed that activities marking the ceremony had kick started on Thursday with the 4th Graduation/Induction ceremony for professional teachers held at the new vocational hall, whereby 309 students were inducted.
Present at the briefing were: Deputy Provost, Dr. Rafiu Adekola Soyile; Registrar, R. A. Akinola; College bursar and librarian as well as other principal officers, and many other staff.
Prior to this, the Provost went down memory lane on how the College was established as Federal Advanced Teachers College, before it metamorphosed into Federal College of Education in 1986. He hereby used the event to outline various achievements and challenges of the college in the past 43 years of its existence.
He added that the primary mandate of the college was to train middle level manpower of teachers. That is, the people that were to teach in the primary and secondary level of education in the country.
However, Dr. Ajayi, when elaborating on the breakdown of the graduands remarked that 7,701 students are to graduate from the full time programme; part time programme will produce 842 students while sandwich programme will feature 234 students respectively.
He said: “I also want to inform that though the primary mandate of the College is to train people that will obtain Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), but we realised that as civilization progresses and the yearnings of the people in our community, and our readiness to also provide service to our state and the neighbourhood.
“We have always continually expanded our services that is why today apart from the NCE, we also provide opportunity for those who want to embark on bachelor degree. The College runs the programme with university of Ibadan, and we have graduated four sets of students already in Bachelor of Education.
“And our students are doing well. Out of those we have graduated, I am proud to say that even though the exams were moderated and supervised by UI, there is no occasion where any student from here has been awarded First Class, and been denied. So by now we have graduated 18 First Class. The affiliate University is very proud of what we are doing here.
“We also run a part time degree programme with Lagos State University since 2018 for those who are working class. And we won’t say because it is part time programme, we will now watered down the standard. The standard is very high too just like that of full time programme.”
In a related development, speaking on the other activities outlined for the ceremony, the Provost noted: “Jumat service holds today, Friday at the college mosque, while there will be thanksgiving on Sunday at the Chapel of Peace.
“On Monday, is for keep fit exercise at the College sports centre in the morning, as well as health awareness. Award/cultural night and general staff entertainment at COEASU hall hold later in the day. Theatre arts presentation also hold at theatre arts auditorium, just as games event are slated for Physical and Health Education department on Tuesday.
“Convocation lecture will be delivered by Professor Olukoya Ogen, from Osun State University, Ikire, at Kunle Fulani hall academic theatre. Commissioning of projects hold after while reminiscence and alumni night are slated for evening on Wednesday. Also, on Thursday being the final day will host another commissioning of projects, convocation ceremony and entertainment of guests.”
Meanwhile, in his closing remark, the Deputy Provost, who also is the chairman of the convocation ceremony appreciated the Provost and other top management staff and many others for their relentless efforts in ensuring a hitch free event.
He also corroborated the Provost speech on the series of activities enlisted for the weeklong ceremony, while he mentioned those that would be awarded by the College for their immense contributions.
