Ekiti college of education matriculates 317 pioneer students

The Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti, in Ekiti State, on Wednesday matriculates its 317 pioneer students of the institution.

In a keynote lecture on the occasion, titled “Teacher Education and Nigeria’s National Development,” a former Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Femi Mimiko, warned the students against “destiny-bursting pastimes” that could derail their future.

Mimiko described teacher education as the foundation of national growth and transformation as he reflected on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence on education.

He also called on Nigeria to embrace innovation while safeguarding moral values.

Provost of the College, Prof. Ajigbade Ikuejube, congratulated the new students and charged them to uphold discipline, hard work, and moral uprightness.

Ikuejube reiterated the college’s mission, saying, “This College is poised to, among others, raise competent teachers who will contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s educational development.”

The Registrar of the institution, Mrs Wuraola Garba, administered the matriculation oath on the students marking their formal admission.

In his remarks, a former Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, hailed the Federal Government for the establishment of the federal college.

Oba Alabi said, “The Federal Government, by the establishment of this institution, has saved several applicants from roaming around for admissions. It has also created numerous job opportunities”.

The monarch, who assured that the community would continue to provide a conducive environment in the institution for further development, advised the students to “face your studies and shun unwholesome behaviours such as cultism and drug addiction while in the institution”.

He hailed prominent indigenes of the town for their support in facilitating the establishment of the federal institution, as he assured the management, staff and matriculating students that “Ilawe-Ekiti will continue to provide the necessary support to the College in several areas to ensure its rapid expansion.

“Only recently, the community, through a kindhearted indigene, provided solar-powered electricity to the offices of the principal officers of the institution, while a police station has also been constructed by the Ekiti South West Local government to ensure adequate security in the area,” the monarch said.

In attendance at the event were the JAMB State Coordinator, Mr Kayode Dada; the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Babatunde Oke; and the Chairman, Internal Revenue Service, Ondo State, Mr Adebayo Rojugbokan.

The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; and the Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru were also in attendance.