The Nwafor Orizu College of Education at Nsugbe in Anambra on Friday conferred Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) certificates on 800 people at the 19th convocation ceremony of the institution.
The Provost of the college, Dr Ifeyinwa Osegbo, in a speech said that 704 of the graduates received NCE and that 96 graduates received teaching certificates.
Osegbo advised the graduates to see their convocation as a call to duty that would also mark the end of their dependence on their families.
She advised the potential teachers to seek teaching jobs with a view to contributing their quotas to the improvement of the country’s education sector.
Osegbo expressed her delight on the State Government’s commitment to the welfare of staff and students of the college, noting that Gov. Willie Obiano had improved the institution’s infrastructure beyond expectation.
She, however, urged the governor to provide more hostels to reduce pressure on existing ones.
The provost also appealed to the governor to convert the college to a university of education, pointing out that the college had the capacity to become a degree awarding institution.
“This will boost the status of the institution, staff and students and also increase its potential to contribute more to the development of the state,” she said.
In a message, Obiano assured the institution that his administration was committed to providing equal education opportunities to all.
The governor, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Tertiary and Science Education, Prof. Theresa Obiekezie, said that the provost’s requests would be looked into.
“Education remains a pillar and an enabler in my administration and therefore we would ensure that all citizens receive equal opportunity in education.’’
The governor said that additional road construction projects within the institution had been awarded while the perimeter fencing of the college would soon commence.
While commending the staff and students of the college for their dedication to duties, Obiano pledged to provide scholarships to indigent students in the college.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Miss Marycynthia Mmaduchebe, a graduate of Biology/Chemistry emerged the overall best student in 2018 academic session.
NAN
