By Abiodun Lawal
Dr Rafiu Soyele, Provost of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, says 2,361 students will be graduating at the institution’s 26th combined convocation.
Soyele made this known on Friday in Abeokuta at a news conference heralding the convocation ceremony and the 50th anniversary of the institution.
According to him, 1,330 students are from the 2022/2023 academic session, while 1,031 are from the 2023/2024 set.
He said the institution had consistently produced quality teachers and developed human capacity for the nation, contributing positively to Nigeria’s growth.
According to the provost, the institution remains the first tertiary institution in the state and has grown from strength to strength, with over 170 PhD holders presently.
“Our mission is to produce standards teachers, build the future of Nigeria, produce human capacity for the nation because without teachers the nation cannot grow,” he said.
Soyele disclosed that the institution had received approval from the Federal Government to run a degree programme.
He stated that over 600 applicants applied for the degree programmes, with more than 400 already receiving admission letters.
“More than 600 applicant’s applied for 29 degree programmes, more than 400 already given application letters.
“We have been told to desist from affiliation institutions,” he said.
He noted that the convocation would be unique, coinciding with the institution’s 50th anniversary.
He commended the remarkable impact and active involvement of the alumni association in the development of the school, saying that the association will be inaugurating six projects as part of the celebration.
“They are eager to give back to the college; to plough back into their alma mater, and that is exactly what is expected. No institution can sustain itself in isolation, it requires the collective efforts of its stakeholders.
“Saturday has been dedicated specifically to alumni activities. As part of their programme, they have completed six projects which will be commissioned,” he said.
Soyele said that the programme of events includes an endurance trek, a convocation play, a reminiscence night, the commissioning of projects and a convocation lecture, all lined up for the week preceding the Feb. 12 convocation.
He said that awards would be given to eminent Nigerians who had contributed to the development of the institution.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
