The staff of Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, have staged a protest against the school’s provost, Dr. Wahab Azeez, over his tenure in office.

The protest which took place in the school premises on Monday was directed at the alleged unlawful stay in office of the provost as the agitators claimed it was against the Act governing Federal Colleges across the country.

Monday’s protest started around 9 am as FCET staff members marched through the college premises singing solidarity songs.

They also carried placards with different inscriptions some of which read: ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu your authority and assented law is been usurped by Azeez and other authorities,’  ‘Concerned staff FCE(T), Akoka Law supersedes connection or monetary influence. Let the new act take its hold in Akoka,’ ‘Concerned staff FCE(T), Akoka,’ ‘Azeez is as good as a sole proprietor due to his dictatorship, not as a public officer.’ ‘Concerned staff FCE(T), Akoka, ‘Leaders who seek only power and control will end up losing both.’

Speaking at the protest, the deputy registrar, Chris Olamiju, told our correspondent that the Provost’s tenure in office had come to an end on the 26th of May 2024, according to section 13 subsection 7a and b of the new Act signed by President Bola Tinubu.

Olamiju quoted the Act as thus, “If on the commencement of this section, a Provost appointed before the commencement of this Act has held office for (a)less than five years, the provost shall be deemed to be serving the five-year single term and shall not have the right for the renewal of his appointment for a further term of four years.

“(b) more than five years and serving the second term of office, be deemed to be serving the last term of office without any further extension.”

Olamiju noted that the protest was a result of the misinterpretation of the act by the Ministry of Education to support the provost’s stay in office.

Also at the protest, assistant Deputy Bursar, Nicolas Ogbusuo, said that the staff at FCET Akoka College were protesting the renewal of the Provost’s appointment, citing a new law that limits tenure to five years. Ogbusuo stressed an acting provost be appointed pending a new appointment

”We are protesting the renewal of the Provost’s appointment, the new law stated that tenure is limited to five years. Despite the law, the provost claims to have a letter from the ministry granting him an additional five years, which we know cannot supersede the law. We demand an acting Provost be appointed pending a permanent replacement,” he stated.

The principal assistant registrar,  Austin Nwachukwu, said that the new act states that any Provost appointed before its commencement, who has not served five years, shall have a single five-year tenure. Nwachukwu noted that the provost, appointed in 2019, has served four years, and his five-year tenure ended on Sunday.

He further explained that the staff were rejecting the ministry’s interpretation of the act, which allowed him to stay beyond five years, and was demanding his removal, citing the college’s deteriorating state and their desire for new leadership.

Reacting to the agitation, The Provost Federal College of Education (Technical), Dr Wahab Azeez, said that his tenure which commenced on 26th of May, 2023, had been duly authorised and confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Azeez noted that the clarification was by the new law signed by the President on June 12, 2023.

The Rector, Yaba College of Education, Dr. Abdul Ibraheem, has said connecting the town and gown will lead to the much-desired national development and youth empowerment.

He said this while giving a presentation of his one year in office and public lecture held on the campus.

Ibraheem emphasised that Yabatech treasured industry collaboration because it was crucial for aligning academic programs with real-world needs.

He explained that as part of efforts to collaborate with the industry, Yabatech had, “Established a Yabatech  Industry Alliance Group to facilitate industry collaborations, established Yabatech ICT Academies to enhance students’ skills to keep up with advancements in technology and obtain skill certifications before graduation. It is also an opportunity for staff to earn additional income

“Collaboration with Skillfort (A telecom partner). 30 students were awarded partial scholarships for eight weeks of telecommunications training through the collaboration. We have secured continuous collaboration with MTN Nigeria on Youth Empowerment.

“Signed an MOU with Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. A staff member from the College has enrolled in a PhD program through the collaboration. We have signed an MOU with KOBE Institute of Computing, Japan. The collaboration will expose students and staff to 21st-century skills and many more.”

He added that to enhance infrastructure and resources, they had secured significant funding and strategic partnerships, including “N1.93b in research grants (local and international). In endowment, we have received donations of legacy projects worth N26b.

“ Some of these are: A N3.5b building complex at Yaba campus to be named ‘Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Centre’ in honour of late Chief (Dr) Wahab Folawiyo, by Chief Rasheed Fanimokun, a 150-Acre landed property at Snake Island for a Green Campus Initiative, also by Chief Rasheed Fanimokun, a hostel building at Epe campus donated by Lady Christine Doja Otedola. We owe our progress to the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before us.”

While giving his keynote address, George Okufi, commended the rector for shunning the arrogance of power and office while embracing the challenges of leadership with humility.

He mentioned some of his achievements, “You have succeeded in turning the Yaba Community within and outside the confines of the College to buy into your vision. The Traditional Rulers in this area are on the same page with you.

“In December 2023, there was a Free Eye Care held in collaboration with AL-Basa, 400 Surgeries and 4,000 check-ups were carried out free.

“I understand the former First Lady of Lagos State, Lady ‘Doja Otedola has donated a Hostel to the College in Epe. The Folawiyo Entrepreneurship Center and 150 hectares of land on Snake Island donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun in April 2024. 25 students of the College have been recently sent to China on an Exchange Programme. The brand name Yabatech is going beyond the shores of Africa- all thanks to Dr Abdul and his formidable team.”

Chairman, Ceremonies Committee, Yaba College of Technology Mrs. Olabisi Adeniji, while giving her speech said, “Today marks another significant milestone and achievement in the history of the first tertiary institution in Nigeria, Yaba College of Technology. Under the able leadership of Dr Ibraheem Abdul, we celebrate the 365-day milestone in the tenure of a visionary leader as Rector.”

Heirs Insurance Group, Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance group, has invited Junior Secondary School Students to apply for the third edition of its prestigious Heirs Insurance Essay Championship (formerly called Heirs Life Essay Championship), its biggest yet. The Championship promises exceptional prizes and scholarships for the finalists.

The winning student will receive a N5 million scholarship, and their school will receive an additional N1 million grant, as a reward for academic excellence and community support. The first and second runners-up will also receive a N2 million and N1 million scholarship respectively, in addition to being invited for an all-expense paid trip to the iconic Transcorp Hilton, where the final presentation will take place.

The nationwide competition, aimed at fostering creativity, critical thinking, and writing skills among young Nigerian students, promises to be the most exciting and rewarding yet.

According to Heirs Insurance,”All secondary school students across the country in JSS1 – JSS3 are invited to write a 500-word essay titled ‘If I Could Invent Something New’ and submit the essays on www.heirsinsurancegroup.com/essay. The submission period is from May 27 to July 7, 2024. Entries will be judged based on originality, depth of analysis, clarity of expression, and adherence to competition guidelines. Schools and parents are invited to encourage their students and children respectively, to apply.”

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