Members of the Presidential Visitation Panel set up by the Federal Government for the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State have concluded assignment.
The Panels assignment was to undertake performance audit of the College from 2011 – 2015 and 2016 – 2020 in separate presentations.
Speaking at an interactive meeting with members of the College Management, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor (Mrs.) Rahila Gowon disclosed that the panel is one of the visitation panels for the 21 Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria approved by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and inaugurated by the honourable Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu on 12th April 2021 at Abuja.
According to her, the function is not to investigate or witch hunt the College but to examine the relationship between the institution and the various statutory bodies it interacts with, according to its law, for the purposes of supervision, planning, finance, discipline, guidance etc. such bodies include the Governing Council, the supervising Agency and the Federal Ministry of Education including also to examine the quality of the leadership of the institution in terms of the role of the Governing Council, the Head of institution and other principal officers.
Other terms of reference according to the team leader includes to examine the financial management of the institution over the recommended period and determine whether it was in compliance with appropriate regulations and to investigate the application of funds, particularly the special grants and loans meant for particular projects in order to determine the status of such projects and their relevance for further funding and as well examine all academic programmes, policies and practices as well as the total academic and physical development, performance and direction of the institution and advise as to whether the desired targets have been met and how modifications may be made to achieve maximum academic productivity, excellence and service to the nation.
Prof. Mrs. Gowon also named others of their assignment to include study the general atmosphere of the institution over the period in question. In particular, the general conduct and comportment of all personnel of the institution especially staff, students and managers and advice as to whether the correct training is being given and how necessary corrections may be made. This should include the relationship between the institution and the host communities over the period. Study in detail the management structure and performance of the institution including fiscal, administrative, personnel and welfare policies and advise on ways to cut cost, reduce waste and continue to develop, if necessary by adaptation, rather than expansion in the face of attenuated resources. Examine the “Law” establishing the institution and consider in what ways the law has been observed in all ramifications by the competent authorities and suggest any necessary modifications to the law in order to enable the institution achieve its objectives better and advise on any and all other aspects of the institution that you may consider of interest to both the Visitor and the public; and to the attainment of the objectives for which the institution was set up.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the panel and director in the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Abuja Mr. Pius Ekereghwo promised that the memoranda(s) submitted by members of the College Community especially Principal Officers, Deans, Heads of Departments and Units, Unions and indeed the general public will be treated with confidentiality and thanked the College Management for the warm reception accorded them throughout the stay in the College.
In his response, the Provost of the College, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri thanked the presidential panel for their co-operation to the College and commended the Federal Government for appointing seasoned administrators for his College and enumerated some challenges of the College to include insufficient funding, payment of outsourced staff, low enrollment in NCE Programmes, insecurity in the College Permanent Site (Campus II) due to non-fencing of the Campus among others.
The Presidential Visitation Panel during their stay in the College Visited the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, The Eze Ali Usomini II of Ogbaland, HRH, Eze (Dr.) A. N Osoh, JP, FFCE(T)OM, the immediate past Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Rivers State, Bro. Felix Amaechi Obuah, JP FFCE(T)OM, the Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited, OB/OB, Security Agencies, Stake holders in the Education industry, other personalities and Associations in the area.
The Panel which were in the College from 26th April, 2021 to 10th June, 2021 also held meetings with College Management, Staff, Unions and other interested bodies.
Other members of the panel are Mrs. Ngozi Nduka; Barr. Shamsiyya Sadiq Adamu; Umaru Sariki; Prof. Leke Ogini and Brimoh Abbas.
