Nation Building: FCE Provost Canvasses Practical TVE

Funmi Ogundare

The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Dr. Wahab Ademola Azeez has stressed the need for the country to de-emphasise theoretical education and put in place practice-focussed technology, Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) on the front burner to ensure its growth and development.
Azeez who said this recently, while briefing journalists on his scorecard in the last four years, stated that the country’s leadership must declare emergency on the critical area of development.
Azeez whose tenure was renewed for the next four years by former President, Muhammadu Buhari promised to lead the college in the area of TVE so that its graduates can become job creators and entrepreneurs as against job seekers.
“We shall put fabrication of teaching and learning equipment and tools and improvisation of materials on our priority list in order to reduce the cost on procurement of these items.
“We shall use the existing human capital and facilities of the college to generate more incomes to augment the support of government and other funding agencies, as well as collaborate with foreign experts, institutions and partners in the areas of training of our staff and students especially in the areas of exchange programmes in technical skills and training,” he stressed.
The provost said emphasis would also be placed on digital and technological training of staff and students in order to meet the demands of modern work place, adding that training of staff will be given priority so as to promote productivity and effectiveness in the college.
Dr. Azeez however expressed concern about the amount been spent on power generation in the college, saying that it will work towards generating its own power energy that can
serve the academic community and increase productivity in all ramifications.
According to him, “we shall invest and produce our own alternative power energy by partnering with experts in renewable and solar energy power and infrastructure. These include wind, solar, biomass energy and biofuels, among others.
“We shall encourage our scholars and researchers to go for training in these energy areas for the ultimate benefit of the college and country.
“We can only achieve all these with focus, discipline, commitment, determination, prudence, resourcefulness and loyalty of work force.”
The provost stated that this year, he plans to expand its medical centre and procure new ambulance bus, procure office furniture, teaching and office equipment, construct new female hostel, academic workshop and offices, perimeter fencing at the college land at Oribamwa, Ibeju- Lekki, as well as renovation of old lecture theatre and expansion and construction of new model staff school.