World Teachers’ Day: Excitement as Echono backs COEASU awards
05 October 2024 |
2:31 am
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has been conferred with the Legacy Award for Education Advancement by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has been conferred with the Legacy Award for Education Advancement by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).
At a well-attended event held in Abuja, the TETFund Executive Secretary was also inducted in the COEASU Hall of Fame. The occasion, which commemorated the International Teachers Day on Friday also witnessed award of excellence to other eminent Nigerians for their contributions to the development of education as well as award to the best student from each geo-political zone and the overall best in Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
Beside the TETFund boss, other awardees include former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State and immediate past Chairman, Committee of Chairmen of Governing Councils, Abdulmalik Mahmood; Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Professor Paulinus Okwelle; Registrar and Chief Executive, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede; Director, Colleges of Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Mrs. Uchenna Uba; immediate past President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU); Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi as well as the Chairman, Committee of Provosts and Provost, Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Professor Faruk Rashid Haruna.
In his remarks, the President, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr. Smart Olugbeko, described the theme of the event, ‘Valuing teachers voices towards repositioning teacher education in Nigeria’ as apt.
According to him, TETFund under Arc. Sonny Echono has made significant strides in enhancing Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. The academic noted that since assuming office in March 2022, Echono has spearheaded strategic partnerships and improved the infrastructure of public tertiary institutions across the county.
Dr Olugbeko said Echono’s vision for a revitalized tertiary education system is evident in TETFund’s flagship initiative, TERAS (Tertiary Education, Research, Applications, and Services Platform), aimed at transforming Nigeria’s education landscape.
Under his leadership, he explained, TETFund has emerged as a pivotal force in Nigeria’s educational landscape, making substantial contributions to uplifting the quality of higher education.
“The struggle for the new dawn we are celebrating today was hugely supported by eminent stakeholders without whose inputs and cooperation the desire would have remained a dream. In recognition of their significant roles in transforming education and elevating the status of teacher education in Nigeria we are inducting them in batches into COEASU Hall of Fame and presenting them our most prestigious awards,” he said.
He lauded the Executive Secretary for his efforts at securing special funding for colleges of education. Under Echono’s leadership, TETFund allocated N1.398 billion to each College of Education in 2024, comprising N1.248 billion as Annual Direct Disbursement and N150 million as Zonal Intervention.
The Fund aims to support tertiary institutions in Nigeria, with a focus on enhancing infrastructure, research, and academic excellence. These initiatives, he said, demonstrate TETFund’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, and Arc. Echono’s leadership has been instrumental in driving this vision forward.
On his part, the Chairman, Committee of Provosts of Colleges of Education, in Nigeria, Professor Faruk Haruna, praised the Executive Secretary for his game-changing intervention in the tertiary education sector.
The don said Echono’s efforts have been instrumental in preventing the shutdown of all Colleges of Education, which would have had devastating consequences for the country’s education system.
While pointing out that the Executive Secretary’s leadership has been instrumental in driving these initiatives forward, his commitment to transforming Nigeria’s tertiary education sector has earned him recognition and appreciation from stakeholders.
“By preventing the shutdown of Colleges of Education, TETFund has ensured that thousands of students continue to access quality education. This, in turn, has helped to build a more educated and skilled workforce, driving Nigeria’s economic growth and development,” he stated.
Receiving the award, Echono pledged to continue to rededicate his efforts to ensure that tax payers money contributed for the development of education was prudently and Judiciously deployed.
“We cease the opportunity to congratulate teachers around the globe for celebrating their day and we feel honored they have chosen this occasion to also honour us by giving us the legacy award and inducting us into their hall of fame.
“It is in recognition of our service and contribution during my tenure as Permanent Secretary in the ministry for four years and Executive Secretary TETFund.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, management and staff, we express our appreciation and to renew the assurances that we will continue to rededicate our efforts.
“This is to ensure that tax payers money contributed for the development of education is prudently and Judiciously deployed. “And ensure our students learning experience will make them more competitive to ensure they will be able to be global citizens and be able to contribute their quota to national development”, he said.
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