From Scholastica Hir Makurdi
The Provost, Federal College of Education (FCE), Odugbo, Benue State, Professor Joel Eriba, has restated his resolve to continue to advance the ideals and strategic importance of the teaching profession to education system in Nigeria.
Eriba made the pledge when he received an outstanding leadership award from the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) at the headquarters of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Abuja.
The award conferment on Professor Eriba as an icon of hope to students-in-training, was in recognition of his outstanding and exemplary leadership since assumption of office as the Provost of FCE, Odugbo.
Presenting the award, the president of the association, Aminu Habibu, said the Provost was chosen for the award because of the track record of his contributions to education in Nigeria, particularly, the growth and welfare of students in colleges of education.
Habibu noted that Eriba had brought to bear his wealth of experience as a scholar and administrator of repute, having etched his name on the sands of time by redefining leadership at this critical stratum of education, where qualified teachers are prepared and groomed for the near and distant future.
He encouraged the awardee to remain resolute and unrelenting in his passion for the teaching profession, which is the hallmark of innovation, development and advancement in any given society.
Accepting the award, the Provost appreciated the leadership of the association for according him the honour and reiterated his resolve to always contribute his quota to the cause of advancing the ideals and strategic importance of the teaching profession to the education system in Nigeria.
He called on the leadership of NANCES to be steadfastly committed in the discharge of their duties.
The Provost advised the teachers-in-training to be exemplary in conduct and representation in order to deliver the objective for which the association was established.
In addition, Prof Eriba called on the leadership not to be distracted from the goals of the association or steer it into triviality and selfish personal gains, but to concentrate on building a strong and virile body that is fortified to addressing existential and imminent teething problems as they affect students of colleges of education across the country.
He assured the students of his determination in partnering with the association in the foreseeable future for a harmonious working relationship.
The event saw the inauguration of the new executives of the association, and a lecture titled: “Education as a tool for enhancing global citizenship and social responsibility.” The lecture was delivered by Prof. Eriba.