Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom on Friday donated a parcel of land covering 94.927 hectares to the Federal Government for the establishment of College of Education, Ididep in Akwa Ibom.
Eno, while presenting the land’s documents to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said the presentation of the Certificate of Occupancy and Survey Plan of the site for the institution was a symbolic handover of the land to the federal government.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, said the presentation of the certificate of occupancy worth N95 million is an investment meant to secure the education Akwa Ibom children.
He said education is the most important weapon in the fight against ignorance, poverty, unemployment and insecurity in the country.
“The conveyance of the title documents, specifically the Certificate of Occupancy and Survey Plan of the site for this institution represents a symbolic handover of the land to the Federal Government.
“These are not mere papers. The naira translation of this action is worth over N95m. But it is an investment meant to secure the future of present and upcoming generations of young Akwa Ibomites and Nigerians.
“When it has to do with education, no sacrifice can be considered excessive or outrageous.
“This is because education is the fulcrum around which other sectors revolve. In other words, if education is removed from the equation, nothing will be left.
“In fact, education is the most important weapon in the fight against ignorance, poverty, unemployment and insecurity,” Eno said.
Eno said that Federal College of Education, Ididep occupies a very special place in the hearts of government because it would train human capital for the state and nation.
He added that teachers were a critical factor in the school system that any institution which trains them must be taken very seriously.
He said, “Make no mistake, Colleges of Education occupy a special and peculiar place in the education sector as they are mandated to train teachers specifically for basic education.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his approval of the establishment and take off of the institution in Akwa Ibom, describing him as a father of all, irrespective of political parties.
Receiving the land’s documents on behalf of the federal government, the minster of education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, assured Akwa Ibom people that work at the institution would commence without further delay.
Mamman said that since the state government has donated the land to the federal government without any impediment there is full assurance of commencement of the project.
He said with shortage of quality teachers in the country, the federal government has placed premium on the establishment of colleges of education.
The minister thanked the governor, government and people of Akwa Ibom, especially the Ididep community for the handing over of the land documents to the federal government.
He urged the people of Akwa Ibom to applaud President Bola Tinubu, who gave approval for the establishment and commencement of the institution.
“This is a President who places a lot of priority on education. He is a President, who also likes to see opportunity spring out in the country across all communities.
“He believes in equity and fairness, so it is not a surprise that this place was chosen in this part of the country for the establishment of this institution.
“I also want to tell you people that Colleges of Education are very important to us in the Ministry because the country is running short of teachers, qualified, quality teachers.
“I want to give the community the assurance that this project would not be long in commencement
“The state has done well in giving us this land which is strategically located.
“I am also delighted that the land is being handed over without encumbrance because that usually causes delay in commencement of this kind of project.
“With this, there is nothing stopping us from taking all the necessary steps for us to commence work here,” Mamman said.
In his remarks, Sen. Ita Enang, said the establishment of the college was a fulfillment of President Tinubu’s campaign promise to ensure development in education.
Enang added that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was working together with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state when it comes to development to provide dividends of democracy to the people.
The former Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs thanked the President for the approval granted to establish the institution.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the Provost of the College, Dr Edem Ntuk, called on the federal government to facilitate the waiver for recruitment to assist the Principal Officers administering the institution.
Ntuk also called on the government to provide infrastructure needed for the immediate take off the institution.
He commended the federal and state governments and Sen. Ita Enang for ensuring the establishment of the college in Ididep.
