Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Old students of Federal Government College decry declining funding of education in Nigeria, donate e-library

By Anietie Akpan, Calabar
08 March 2021   |   2:56 pm
Old students of Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state have decried the poor funding of education in Nigeria as they donated a modern e-library to the college in commemoration of the 36 anniversary of the alumni. The graduating 1985 set at weekend in the college donated a modern e-library comprising 10 desktop computers…

The 1985 set posing in a group photograph with students and teachers in front of the new e-library of Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state

Old students of Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state have decried the poor funding of education in Nigeria as they donated a modern e-library to the college in commemoration of the 36 anniversary of the alumni.

The graduating 1985 set at weekend in the college donated a modern e-library comprising 10 desktop computers with all the accessories; Wilan and Wifi connectivity; payment of two years data subscription for the use of students and ICT teachers to the college and
repairs of 22kva lister generator and observed that funding of education today in Nigeria is not what it used to be in their days.

The First Coordinator of the project and the 1985 class, Mr. Nkereuwem Inyang who inaugurated the project explained that the gesture was the contribution of the old students towards the advancement activities in their alma mata, noting that “with the 21st century world, there was need to expose students to the use of ICT.

“I know how things are in Nigeria today. Funding of education is poor; students don’t have much to do. This is an aspect that I thought about and I felt we can do this for the students to help in advance learning, searching and knowledge acquisition. This is now a digital age and the students need it to study and become great in the society”.

The Second Coordinator, Mr. Nicholas Agbo said the 1985 set (home and abroad) made the donation possible and “our impression is that education is not adequately funded in Nigeria. Both the secondary and tertiary institutions need funding for their laboratory and research work. Infrastructure development is poor.

“So the donation today by us is our way of giving back to the school that shaped our glorious destiny. We also choose the e-library because that is the knowledge and research base in any academic environment which can impact great knowledge, wisdom and vision on the young students.

“The project is also informed by the current reality of things where the world is shifting to ICT, virtual learning and this will set the school on that path and open up the students to a lot of information on the Internet.

The project is a continuous phase until we can equip the e-library fully”.

On his part the Principal of the college, Mr. Ezeogu Jude Nwaedozie who was represented by the Vice Principal Academics, Mrs. Roseline Inyang, commended the 1985 set for their contribution saying, “the college will continue to hold the alumni in high esteem. We do really appreciate your kind gesture. We have really been thinking of an opportunity to have enough laptops and desktops to enable us to have a JAMB centre in this college. I know with what you have started, you will not just leave us there. These children will never forget you”.

Head Boy of the College, Nkereuwem Idungesit, promised that the students will make judicious use of the e-library giving the assurance that his class of 2021 will also give back to the college.

0 Comments