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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The immediate past Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Prof Pauline Ikwuegbu, has appealed to her successor, Dr Helen Ebe, and the host communities to protect the institution and sustain the gains recorded during her eight-year administration.
Speaking during activities marking the end of her tenure yesterday, Ikwuegbu said she would be deeply saddened if the institution she helped reposition over the past eight years was allowed to decline.
“As I bow out as Provost of FCE, Eha-Amufu, I appeal to my successor to improve on areas where I may not have done enough. I also urge our host communities to continue supporting the College wherever they feel improvements are needed so that the institution will continue to grow.
“I will not be happy if this institution declines after my departure. Please do not allow your College to collapse, be destroyed or be diminished,” she said.
The former Provost said her administration transformed the College through prudent resource management and strategic development initiatives.
According to her, the administration recorded significant achievements in infrastructure development, academic advancement, staff welfare and institutional growth. She said these included the establishment of the first financial institution within the College, the expansion of academic programmes and the execution of projects that created a more conducive environment for teaching, learning, research and innovation.
Reflecting on her stewardship, Ikwuegbu said: “I remain deeply humbled that God used me as an instrument to serve this noble institution. Leadership is ultimately about stewardship. Positions are temporary, but the impact of selfless service endures.”
She thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), TETFund, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the Governing Council, management, staff, students and other stakeholders for their support throughout her tenure.
Earlier, during a thanksgiving Mass held to mark the successful completion of her tenure, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Christian Onyeka Ugwu, described the occasion as a celebration of God’s grace, favour and faithfulness.
According to him, completing a full eight-year tenure as Provost was a remarkable accomplishment made possible by divine grace.
“We are celebrating the faithfulness of God. Many aspired to this office but did not attain it. Today, we celebrate a woman who has completed eight years as Provost of this institution.
“It also demonstrates that women can attain the highest levels of leadership in higher education through dedication, competence and God’s grace,” he said.
Fr. Ugwu also stressed the importance of quality education, lamenting the growing incidence of examination malpractice and the tendency of many Nigerians to blame others rather than take responsibility for their actions.
He urged public office holders to discharge their responsibilities faithfully whenever entrusted with leadership positions, noting that selfless service would always be remembered and celebrated.
In a goodwill message, the Chaplain of St. Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy, FCE, Eha-Amufu, Rev. Fr. Christopher Mama, congratulated Prof. Ikwuegbu on the successful completion of her tenure and commended her contributions to the growth of the institution and the advancement of education.
The event attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, including academics, captains of industry, political office holders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
Highlights of the ceremony included the launch of a Festschrift in honour of the outgoing Provost, the unveiling of the Provost’s End-of-Tenure Magazine, the commissioning of nine projects executed during her administration, and the presentation of a ₦7 million Group Life Assurance benefit cheque to the widow of a deceased staff member, Mr Clement Onyekachi Ulochukwu, who died in 2025.
The projects commissioned included the College Entrepreneurship Centre, the Directorate of Degree Programme complex, the Prof. Pauline Ikwuegbu Hostel, the new School of General Education building, and the reconstruction and maintenance of about five kilometres of internal roads, among other capital projects.
It could be recalled that about six projects were commissioned during the 34th Combined Convocation/Endowment Ceremony held on June 26th, 2026.
