Get Guardian on GoogleThe Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, has said his recognition as The Sun Public Service Personality of the Year will spur him and his team to intensify efforts towards transforming Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Echono, who received the award at The Sun Awards ceremony held at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, at the weekend, said the recognition would strengthen his commitment to improving the quality of higher education and preparing Nigerian graduates for global competitiveness.
He expressed gratitude to the management of The Sun Publishing Limited, describing the honour as particularly significant because it came from a reputable media organisation whose annual awards had become highly coveted nationally.
He said, “I am humbled, yet deeply grateful, that our modest efforts to contribute meaningfully to the preparation of the young and future generations of Nigeria, which, in our view, constitute perhaps the most critical resource we have as a country, are being noticed, acknowledged and rewarded with an award of this nature.”
The TETFund boss, however, attributed the achievements recorded by the Fund to collective efforts, acknowledging the support of President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and the Chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari.
He also recognised the contributions of the Fund’s board, management, staff, stakeholders and partners in the tertiary education sector, stressing that the progress recorded over the years was the outcome of sustained collaboration.
According to him, TETFund has continued to build on the foundations laid by previous administrations to create an environment capable of transforming tertiary institutions and changing the dynamics of higher education in Nigeria.
Echono said the ongoing transformation agenda championed by Tinubu through the Federal Ministry of Education went beyond providing infrastructure, but also sought to ensure that Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions met international standards and produced graduates capable of competing globally.
Citing his recent experience at the National Open University of Nigeria, Echono said he was encouraged by the positive reactions of visitors from within and outside the country who were impressed by the quality of facilities at the institution.
He disclosed that some visitors had initially expected to find dilapidated structures and poorly maintained facilities but were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the campus environment, particularly the hall where the university hosted its event.
According to him, the experience reinforced the importance of sustained investment in infrastructure and the need to improve the learning environment across tertiary institutions.
“Our goal is to restore our campuses to the standards that institutions of learning should maintain, while also preparing and equipping our graduates to compete globally,” he said.
He added that TETFund’s interventions were designed to position Nigerian tertiary institutions as reference points for excellence, functionality and quality education.
The TETFund chief executive said the ambition remained a driving force for the Fund’s leadership and workforce, adding that Nigeria needed institutions that could be confidently recognised as centres of effective teaching, learning and research.
Echono was accompanied at the ceremony by the Chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees, Masari, who was represented by the board member representing the North Central Zone, Dr Hassan Abddulrahman Ocholi.
Other members of the delegation included the Director of Finance and Accounts, Dr Gloria Olotu; Director of ICT, Engr Joseph Odo; Director of Education Support Services, Baba Imam; Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi; and Director of the Executive Secretary’s Office, Engr Tunde Olakunri.
Also present were the Fund’s South-West Zonal Coordinator, Engr Taiwo Lukman; Head of SERVICOM, Dr Ebere Nwobu; Head of Legal, Dr Abdul Khalil; as well as family members, friends and associates.
