A former Student Union President of the Enugu State College of Education (Technical) Enugu (ESCET), Prince Sebastian Ifeanyi Odoh (Jagaban), has welcomed the decision of the Enugu State Government to set up a 7-man investigative committee on the Enugu State College of Education (Technical) Enugu (ESCET).
The Governor had a few days ago, set up the committee to investigate allegations of mismanagement and fraud in the college.
The Committee members include Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah as Chairman, Barr. Onuora Okeke as Secretary, Prof. Obiamaka Egbo, Rev. Fr. Ikechukwu Ani, Dr. Emma Onyeabor, Edmund Ngene, and Larry Oguego as members.
The Committee’s terms of reference were to investigate grave allegations of mismanagement and corrupt administrative practices in the management of the Institute and its Governing Council.
They were also mandated to throughly investigate the alleged fraud involving Bluetag Technologies, a financial firm contracted to collect fees for the college with unresolved issue of over N84 million and to ascertain the veracity of the alleged undue recruitment process and probe the subsequent increase in the college’s monthly subvention as well as make recommendations based on their findings regarding the appropriate measures and actions to address the issues raised in a petition to the Government.
Speaking to newsmen on Saturday morning, Prince Odo who was the SUG President of the college in 2011, as well as Senate President of ESCET Alumuni Association till date, described the Governor’s decision as bold, courageous and timely, given the challenges confronting the students, staff and management of the institution.
To underline the seriousness and sensitivity of the assignment given to the Committee, Comr. Odoh who was also, a member of an investigative Committee set-up by the previous administration of Dr. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, listed areas needing Government intervention in the school to include subvention, understaffing, etcetera.
He, commended the Governor of the State, Dr. Peter Mbah and Tetfund for intervening in their intervention in the college, while also applauding the provost of the institution for showing strong leadership since her assumption of Office.
His words: “The college must continue to pray for the leadership of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba, who had visited the college and promised to pay off all the salary arrears and allowances while as candidate before the election.
“You will recall that the Governor also promised to partner with the College in his educational transformation agenda of the State.
“So my advice is that the college continue to pray for His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to REVAMP the college as it is the only State owned College of Education.
“On the other hand, the college needs serious Government intervention in the increment of her subvention, as the subvention remains the same from 2006 till date, despite promotions of the staff.
“It is also important that I use this opportunity to state that, even with the recently employed Staff in the Collage in
2021, the College is still understaffed as it can still not boast of up to 400 staff, both academic and non academic, with so many programs they are running in the college. Some Departments have less than 5 regular Staff, leaving the management with the option of engaging part-time lecturers.
“Having said that, let me also use this medium to commend Tetfund for their interventions in the institution.
“Tetfund has done wonderfully well in the recent past in providing many structures and the procurement of Science equipments, Library equipments and materials ranging from utility vehicles, computers, office equipments and other materials that enhance quality teaching and learning while a lot of Tetfund project are still ongoing.
“Let me also use this medium to commend the new Provost of the College, Dr. Mrs. Stella Chinweudo Ekwueme for her transparency, competence and reliability. I’m not surprised in the recent transformation going on in the school because of her academic background. Her qualifications: National Diploma, BEd, MA, and PhD all from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka speaks volume of her academic prowess.
“She assumed the office of the Provost on 4th February, 2023 and met a lot of challenges ranging from 6 months salary arrears, paucity of fund to manage the institution, debts incurred by the past administration, no students result or certificates, no academic program/calender, to mention but a few.
“She came as a light in the darkest hour, and shockingly, within these few months of assuming her office, she facilitated the appointment of the Deputy Provost who oversees the academic activities, unlike before when the school operated without such conspicuous personality. To her credit, the academic activities have been progressing smoothly and the pending results from 2014-2022 had been cleared. For the first time in the history of the College, academic calendar is being implemented without postponement. Students of ESCET are now competing with their counterparts both academically, socially and otherwise.
“She also gave a face lift to PDE program by restructuring and relocating it to a befitting building and that has projected PDE to an enviable academic position in the college and beyond.
“She has also approved and kicked off demonstration school in the college; Creche, Nursery and Primary school that has not been in the college since it’s inception in 2006.
“I urge the State Government to support and back her up in the work she’s already doing to enable her take the school to an enviable height.
