By Itam Offor/Victor Osim
In furtherance of the Cross River State Assembly’s move to pass the Bill which will change the status of the College of Education (COE) Akamkpa as well as the College of Agriculture to universities, the House Committee on Education recently carried out oversight of the two schools.
Speaking at COE Akamkpa, the Chairman of the Committee and Member representing Yala II State Constituency, Hon. Martins Achadu, said the visit is based on the proposed bill currently ongoing in the State House of Assembly which has passed the second reading stage to transform the College of Agriculture Obubura and the College of Education Akamkpa into a University of Agriculture and University of Education and entrepreneurship respectively.
Achadu added that the Committee went to UNICROSS in the instance of Obubra Campus to see the level of preparation as to what is put on ground for the take-off of the various faculties and new programmes that will be introduced
The lawmakers said the interest of Governor Bassey Otu is to see how agriculture becomes the main economy in Cross River State apart from Civil Service.
“We want to see how students can be trained to build manpower in the field of Agriculture,” he said.
The Member representing Obubura II State Constituency, Hon. Abeng Egbe, Member representing Bakassi, Hon. Eyo Bassey, Member representing Yakurr II, Hon. Mercy Akpama, amongst others, kicked against the movement of equipment from Obubura College of Education to Okuku Campus.
They said since the Obubura Campus is to be transformed into a University of Agriculture, more equipment would be needed to cater for the influx of students. Therefore, new equipment should be provided for the Okuku Campus while the ones in the Obubura Campus remain where they are.
While speaking, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Prof. David Abua, told the Committee that they are ready for the College to become a University.
Abua said the campus already has infrastructure, large hectares of land and other facilities. He added that a comprehensive Inventory has been taken in the Obubura Campus in preparation for the transformation.
“When University of Uyo was established, we spent two years and we requested to go back to Uyo to go and graduate in that period of movement to Ogoja campus. I experienced it during my time so I understand what it takes and I know virtually every facility in the Okuku Campus
“I think in terms of accommodation for staff, power, we have a little challenge. And that is why I’m saying that some of the hostels may be converted to staff offices, so we are quite ready,” he said.
The Acting Provost of the College of Education Akamkpa, Prof. Patrick Nyong Asuquo, expressed gratitude while receiving the Committee.
Nyong said transforming the College to a University is the best thing that will happen to the school because the school is lacking students based on the fact that is not a degree-awarding institution.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Otu, for the idea, adding that Education is taking a different dimensions, shifting from mer theory to practical skills.
Nyong said the idea of having University of education and entrepreneurship has come at a very good time for the state. He said he got appointed about a month ago, and the mandate is essentially to ensure that he put in place what is required to ensure that the midwife of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship is achieved.
Prof. Nyong has interacted with the various segments of the population in the college, the students, and staff including the council and has also gone to Abuja to interact with National University Commission (NUC), NCCE, National Commission for Colleges of Education.
He, however, interface with TETFUN and some other stakeholders that have one thing or the other to do with education in Nigeria, including Prof. Tambowa Vice Chancellor of Shehu Shagari University of Education Sokoto.
Nyong used the opportunity to call on Governor Otu to renovate some of the structures, fix the library and the perimeter fence and the power issues of the school.
