Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has implored the Federal Government to ensure speedy passage of the Colleges of Education Act before the National Assembly.
The union said that passage of the Bill and eventual assent by President Muhammadu Buhari would no doubt usher in a new dawn in the Colleges of Education, especially the six Colleges upgraded to Federal institutions recently.
COEASU President, Nuhu Ogirima, urged the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu to vigorously pursue and ensure quick passage of the Bill.
The union praised the federal government for the appointments of Governing Councils, Visitation Panels and Principal Officers of the new federal colleges of education.
“The union is particularly delighted by the approval of Mr President of the nominations of the individuals given the fact that the age-long quest for the involvement of individuals with a proven record of diligence in service in the COE system has been reflected an appreciable extent,” it said in the statement.
The statement added: “The leadership of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) felt a compelling need to acknowledge, with excitement, the recent appointments of individuals and some seasoned academics with history of capacity and competence, evident in their respective profiles, from within the College of Education system, as provosts and members of the Governing Councils of the new Federal Colleges of Education.
“The union also considers the eventual reconstitution of Governing Councils and Visitation Panels, on the heels of prolonged agitation for their reconstitution, as commendable.
“This stems from the mounting existential and seemingly intractable challenges besetting most of the institutions since the completion of tenure of the defunct Councils.
“The union views the choice and pedigree of the membership of the various teams as commendable.
“With specific reference to the headship of the Visitation Panels, it is quite unprecedented, given their track records of patriotism and selfless service to the nation through years of mentoring generations of Nigerian citizens either as academics of repute and, or administrators.
“On the composition of the Management Officers/Principal Officers and Governing Councils of the six new Federal Colleges of Education, we sincerely commend the President and appreciate the Hon. Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu for the manifestation of the rare spirit of confidence and trust exhibited in considering a good percentage of those appointed into the various leadership positions.
“Nevertheless, the Union is not oblivious of the limitations or constraints imposed by the Acts establishing the COEs and the NCCE, currently undergoing appropriate legislative process at the National Assembly, which may have informed some decisions on choice of officers; if anything, such a development should rather be seen as strengthening inter-institutional bonds and the promotion of cross-breeding of intellectual ideas among academics in tertiary institutions.
