Alake Urges Upgrade Of FCE Abeokuta To University

 

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has appealed to the Federal Government to upgrade the Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta to university status. 

Gbadebo made the appeal while receiving the Federal government's Visitation Panel to the College who paid him a courtesy call at his Ake Palace, Abeokuta.

The paramount ruler argued that the institution was qualified and had what it takes to be elevated to a university status. 

The Alake pointed out that not many universities had as many facilities as already existing in the FCE, Osiele, Abeokuta. 

The Alake gave the qualifications for the upgrade of the institution as including, large expanse of land for immediate and future development, existing educational structures and the very conducive atmosphere as engendered by the ever friendly Egba community.

“I want to appeal to you to recommend the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta for upgrade to a university status,” he said. 

In his remark, the Chairman of the visitation panel, Prof. Charles Ugwuanyi, said that a major part of the visitation panel's assignment was to assess the relationships between the institution and the people as represented by the paramount ruler. 

Ugwuanyi explained that the panel's visit was to assess if the investments of the Federal government on the college, students' welfare, academic growth, which invariably might lead to the recommendation of the college to be upgraded to a university, was intact. 

He stated that the visitation panel members were on a positive mission to add value to the institution.

Other members of the panel were Dr Emma Asagha, Dr Oluseun Oribayo, Mr Matthew Salifu, and Mr Usoroh Dickson. 

Earlier, the Acting Provost of the institution, Dr. Rafiu Soleye, said one of the main reasons for the visitation was to enhance the existing relationship between the school and the society.

Soleye said that the Alake had deep and sustainable interest in the growth and development of the institution, adding that a befitting structure had been named after the paramount ruler which would be commissioned before the end of May.