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| Dr Hassan |
I assumed
office at a period of growing demands but lean resources –Dr Hassan
office at a period of growing demands but lean resources –Dr Hassan
Dr Umar Hassan is the current provost of Federal
College of Education (FCE) Okene, Kogi state. At a press conference to mark his
two years in office recently, spoke to SALIHU OYIBO on his numerous
achievements in infrastructural development, staff and student welfare as well
as his projection for the institution in the next two years.
College of Education (FCE) Okene, Kogi state. At a press conference to mark his
two years in office recently, spoke to SALIHU OYIBO on his numerous
achievements in infrastructural development, staff and student welfare as well
as his projection for the institution in the next two years.
You have just clocked two years
in office as Provost, Federal College of Education Okene. What have been your
achievements so far ?
in office as Provost, Federal College of Education Okene. What have been your
achievements so far ?
On September 26, 2017, precisely, President
Muhammadu Buhari graciously approved my appointment as the provost of this
great citadel of learning. On my assumption of duty, I met a college with great
potentialities and with the burning desires to move to the next level of growth
and development.
Muhammadu Buhari graciously approved my appointment as the provost of this
great citadel of learning. On my assumption of duty, I met a college with great
potentialities and with the burning desires to move to the next level of growth
and development.
As it is often said, government is a continuum,
therefore, we set in motion necessary machinery to address all the lingering
challenges we met on ground which are majorly financial and of course,
academic. We inherited huge liabilities of promotion arrears for 2015 and 2016 which
were as a result of shortfalls in personnel cost.
therefore, we set in motion necessary machinery to address all the lingering
challenges we met on ground which are majorly financial and of course,
academic. We inherited huge liabilities of promotion arrears for 2015 and 2016 which
were as a result of shortfalls in personnel cost.
In spite of the lean resources at our disposal,
critical decisions have been taken to stabilise the system with quick
interventions in academic programmes.
critical decisions have been taken to stabilise the system with quick
interventions in academic programmes.
These include organising resource visit for the newly
introduced programmes: History, Geography, Economics and Adult and Non-Formal
Education. Consequently the visit led to the accreditation of the last
programme.
introduced programmes: History, Geography, Economics and Adult and Non-Formal
Education. Consequently the visit led to the accreditation of the last
programme.
We also created the Political Science Department as
part of our determination to attain the set noble vision and mission of the college
and to key into National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) reforms
and in consonance with societal demands.
part of our determination to attain the set noble vision and mission of the college
and to key into National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) reforms
and in consonance with societal demands.
Two new schools namely, School of Adult and Non-Formal
Education and the School of Early Childhood Care and Primary Education were
also established within this two years. We created additional academic
directorates and restructured the existing ones for greater efficiency and
service delivery.
Education and the School of Early Childhood Care and Primary Education were
also established within this two years. We created additional academic
directorates and restructured the existing ones for greater efficiency and
service delivery.
Similarly, our genuine efforts towrads moving the college
to the next level of growth and development in research and academic
development has continued to yield fruits, with growing opportunities, such as
in manuscript development intervention, which hitherto could not be accessed
since 2012.
to the next level of growth and development in research and academic
development has continued to yield fruits, with growing opportunities, such as
in manuscript development intervention, which hitherto could not be accessed
since 2012.
This has been however made possible by our tenacity in
imbibing due process, ensuring transparency and accountability in our
engagements with TETFund. We have also been able to access interventions in the
areas of academic manuscripts/book publication between 2012 and 2016 and academic
manuscripts/book publication 2016/2018.
imbibing due process, ensuring transparency and accountability in our
engagements with TETFund. We have also been able to access interventions in the
areas of academic manuscripts/book publication between 2012 and 2016 and academic
manuscripts/book publication 2016/2018.
Infrastructural development is key
to any tertiary institution, what effort have you made towards that area?
to any tertiary institution, what effort have you made towards that area?
This administration met some ongoing TETFund projects
and knowing full well that new projects cannot be accessed without the
completion of the ongoing ones, it became expedient for us to mobilise the
contractors to site to ensure immediate completion of the projects. These
projects were the ICT complex at 60 per cent completion, but now completed,
School of Vocational Education lecturer’s building at 70 per cent completion
also now completed and the Gymnasium at 60 per cent completion then, now
completed.
and knowing full well that new projects cannot be accessed without the
completion of the ongoing ones, it became expedient for us to mobilise the
contractors to site to ensure immediate completion of the projects. These
projects were the ICT complex at 60 per cent completion, but now completed,
School of Vocational Education lecturer’s building at 70 per cent completion
also now completed and the Gymnasium at 60 per cent completion then, now
completed.
Consequently, despite the critical conditions
attached, we were able to attract the following TETFund projects to the college:
the construction of one-storey building complex for Early Childhood Care,
Primary, Adult and Non-Formal Education, with external works which is ongoing,
but has reached 90 per cent completion; Construction of Twin-200 seater
auditorium with external works ongoing 80 per cent completion; construction of one-storey
building block of eight classroom complex – ongoing 85 per cent
completion, Construction of 1 storey building for School of Languages
Lecturer’s Office complex, ongoing at 80 per cent completion and the construction of two VIP toilets with borehole
facilities (students’ integrity project) completed.
attached, we were able to attract the following TETFund projects to the college:
the construction of one-storey building complex for Early Childhood Care,
Primary, Adult and Non-Formal Education, with external works which is ongoing,
but has reached 90 per cent completion; Construction of Twin-200 seater
auditorium with external works ongoing 80 per cent completion; construction of one-storey
building block of eight classroom complex – ongoing 85 per cent
completion, Construction of 1 storey building for School of Languages
Lecturer’s Office complex, ongoing at 80 per cent completion and the construction of two VIP toilets with borehole
facilities (students’ integrity project) completed.
Remarkably too, we have attracted two major capital
projects to the college, which are currently ongoing. These are the construction
of administrative building; This project when completed is expected to bring an
end to the lingering problem of acute office accommodation confronting our non-teaching
staff, most especially, the administrative officers and also enhance their
productive capacities in service delivery; construction of hostel block for
female students.
projects to the college, which are currently ongoing. These are the construction
of administrative building; This project when completed is expected to bring an
end to the lingering problem of acute office accommodation confronting our non-teaching
staff, most especially, the administrative officers and also enhance their
productive capacities in service delivery; construction of hostel block for
female students.
It may interest you to know that this administration
had also taken some bold initiatives to attract other projects to the college
through other agencies of government, corporate agencies and individual, rather
than the usual TETFund interventions.
had also taken some bold initiatives to attract other projects to the college
through other agencies of government, corporate agencies and individual, rather
than the usual TETFund interventions.
These project interventions include, erection of
45 numbers of solar powered street lights; drilling of two solar-powered
boreholes and accessories, one each in male and female hostels; drilling
of one motorised borehole in the staff quarters, asphalt overlay on about 1.2km
stretch of road network and donation of three tricycle motorbikes.
45 numbers of solar powered street lights; drilling of two solar-powered
boreholes and accessories, one each in male and female hostels; drilling
of one motorised borehole in the staff quarters, asphalt overlay on about 1.2km
stretch of road network and donation of three tricycle motorbikes.
In addition, we have carried out the following
rehabilitation of the main campus and staff quarters overhead tanks, for the
first time since installation several years back. Before now, both were in such
dilapidated state that over 60 per cent water pumped and stored before
discharge and distribution were lost.we have also done the de-silting of the
college main drainage network which again was the first time since its construction
years ago. This has helped in the control of surface water run-off, which
previously has caused the washing off of the road network and erosion in some
places.
rehabilitation of the main campus and staff quarters overhead tanks, for the
first time since installation several years back. Before now, both were in such
dilapidated state that over 60 per cent water pumped and stored before
discharge and distribution were lost.we have also done the de-silting of the
college main drainage network which again was the first time since its construction
years ago. This has helped in the control of surface water run-off, which
previously has caused the washing off of the road network and erosion in some
places.
We also embarked on installation of solar
panels/submersibles that supply water to surface reservoirs in the main campus
and staff quarters. This has allowed for continuous pumping of water to
the reservoirs and also reduced tremendously the use of diesel fuel to power
the boreholes.
panels/submersibles that supply water to surface reservoirs in the main campus
and staff quarters. This has allowed for continuous pumping of water to
the reservoirs and also reduced tremendously the use of diesel fuel to power
the boreholes.
These initiatives have no doubt made considerable
impact on the wellbeing of our students on campus and of course, our staff.
Interestingly too, discussions are at advanced stage to benefit from Dangote
Foundation for hostel construction and rehabilitation.
impact on the wellbeing of our students on campus and of course, our staff.
Interestingly too, discussions are at advanced stage to benefit from Dangote
Foundation for hostel construction and rehabilitation.
More so, we have sent the list of some capital
projects to TETFund for quick intervention and one of it is the 4.5km of
access road we want to open at the left flank of the campus so that development
can also reach there and as well ease the mobility of students and staff of the
college.
projects to TETFund for quick intervention and one of it is the 4.5km of
access road we want to open at the left flank of the campus so that development
can also reach there and as well ease the mobility of students and staff of the
college.
We are also proposing to have a mini-sport complex
which will be a combined structure that will accommodate convocation ceremony. We are also looking at some other projects
that are very vital to the institution for intervention.
which will be a combined structure that will accommodate convocation ceremony. We are also looking at some other projects
that are very vital to the institution for intervention.
On the welfare of students and staff
development what have you achieved?
development what have you achieved?
One of the cardinal priorities of this administration
is staff development. It is our conviction that our policy trust can only be
efficiently and effectively delivered with a well trained and highly motivated
work force. This explained why we attach utmost attention to the issue of staff
welfare.
is staff development. It is our conviction that our policy trust can only be
efficiently and effectively delivered with a well trained and highly motivated
work force. This explained why we attach utmost attention to the issue of staff
welfare.
Obviously, I assumed office at a critical period
with growing demands with scarce resources. We inherited huge promotion arrears
for 2015/2016. I am delighted to say that so far we have been able to
clear 19 months of 2015 and 9 months from 2016 arrears. Remarkably too, 2018
promotion was effected and financially implemented. Similarly, as at December
2017, all salary arrears were cleared. It is also worthy of note that the
contentious issues surrounding the payment of arrears of Peculiar Academic and
Non-teaching allowances have been put to rest, as we have commenced the implementation.
with growing demands with scarce resources. We inherited huge promotion arrears
for 2015/2016. I am delighted to say that so far we have been able to
clear 19 months of 2015 and 9 months from 2016 arrears. Remarkably too, 2018
promotion was effected and financially implemented. Similarly, as at December
2017, all salary arrears were cleared. It is also worthy of note that the
contentious issues surrounding the payment of arrears of Peculiar Academic and
Non-teaching allowances have been put to rest, as we have commenced the implementation.
In addition, this administration has continued
to give opportunities to staff to attend workshops, seminars and conferences
for optimum productivity and self-realisation.
to give opportunities to staff to attend workshops, seminars and conferences
for optimum productivity and self-realisation.
Similarly, we have embarked on aggressive staff
development programme, which gives adequate room and opportunities to more
qualified members of staff to be sponsored for higher degrees, especially for master’s
and doctorate degrees. Many of our staff members have also continued to benefit
by obtaining first degrees, and Higher National Diplomas.
development programme, which gives adequate room and opportunities to more
qualified members of staff to be sponsored for higher degrees, especially for master’s
and doctorate degrees. Many of our staff members have also continued to benefit
by obtaining first degrees, and Higher National Diplomas.
It is worthy of note that while the sponsorship of
academic staff is driven by TETFund, the non-teaching staff are locally
sponsored. Since the inception of this administration, a total of 123 staff members
were sponsored for further studies, 45 academic and 78 non-teaching staff.
Also a total of 174 staff members have benefitted from TETFund sponsored
conferences and workshops.
academic staff is driven by TETFund, the non-teaching staff are locally
sponsored. Since the inception of this administration, a total of 123 staff members
were sponsored for further studies, 45 academic and 78 non-teaching staff.
Also a total of 174 staff members have benefitted from TETFund sponsored
conferences and workshops.
Also students’ welfare has remained a critical part of
our development agenda. We have continued to ensure that the college
environment is made conducive and well secure for teaching and learning.
Provision of basic amenities such as water and electricity are never
compromised. In addition, drugs and other medical facilities are provided to
cater for health challenges of our students and staff.
our development agenda. We have continued to ensure that the college
environment is made conducive and well secure for teaching and learning.
Provision of basic amenities such as water and electricity are never
compromised. In addition, drugs and other medical facilities are provided to
cater for health challenges of our students and staff.
The student friendly policy of this administration has
made it a matter of priority to open up the college and make education easily
accessible to the students and prospective students alike by charging low fees.
I wish to state here that Federal College of education, Okene, remains the
cheapest in terms of fees when compared with other sister colleges in Nigeria.
made it a matter of priority to open up the college and make education easily
accessible to the students and prospective students alike by charging low fees.
I wish to state here that Federal College of education, Okene, remains the
cheapest in terms of fees when compared with other sister colleges in Nigeria.
Remarkably, the relationship between the management
and the student union is very cordial. The college has continued to enable
smooth conduct of Student Union Government (SUG) elections. We have also
provided a serviceable vehicle to ease the operation and transportation needs
of the SUG.
and the student union is very cordial. The college has continued to enable
smooth conduct of Student Union Government (SUG) elections. We have also
provided a serviceable vehicle to ease the operation and transportation needs
of the SUG.
What efforts did you put in place to sustain
the existing peace in the college?
the existing peace in the college?
This administration has in the last two years driven
her policy trust on honesty, transparency, accountability and in compliance
with the rule of law. We have also ensured open-door policy, staff
inclusiveness and regular consultation with all stakeholders and unions on
policy formulation and implementation processes.
her policy trust on honesty, transparency, accountability and in compliance
with the rule of law. We have also ensured open-door policy, staff
inclusiveness and regular consultation with all stakeholders and unions on
policy formulation and implementation processes.
Our administrative machinery is driven by the
committee system, as most staff members are opportune to serve on one committee
or the other.
committee system, as most staff members are opportune to serve on one committee
or the other.
What is the relationship between the
college and the host community?
college and the host community?
This administration has given special attention to college-community
relation by enhancing our programmes and priorities on Corporate Social
Responsibility. This effort has continued to yield positive results for the
sustenance of peace and mutual co-existence with the college’s immediate community.
relation by enhancing our programmes and priorities on Corporate Social
Responsibility. This effort has continued to yield positive results for the
sustenance of peace and mutual co-existence with the college’s immediate community.
Recently, we went into collaboration with an organisation
to provide empowerment facilities and training to members of the immediate and
larger community in the Central senatorial district of the state.
to provide empowerment facilities and training to members of the immediate and
larger community in the Central senatorial district of the state.
In the same vein, employment opportunities and other
forms of assistance, are being provided for the immediate community, which
include, the extension of medical services to members of the immediate
community. All these are carried out by the management of the college to foster
unity and also sustained the existing peace and tranquility we enjoyed
together.
forms of assistance, are being provided for the immediate community, which
include, the extension of medical services to members of the immediate
community. All these are carried out by the management of the college to foster
unity and also sustained the existing peace and tranquility we enjoyed
together.