Founder’s Day: When FCE, Abeokuta, alumni association honoured its prides

The National Alumni Association of the first ever tertiary institution in Ogun State, Federal Advanced Teachers’ College which later transformed over the last 40 years into the Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta, recently, came together to chart a new course towards the development of their alma mater.

The coming together was to the first ever national reunion to mark the 40th Founder’s Day of the institution and to deliberate on how they could contribute their quota, the more, to the educational advancement of the school.

Friday 27th of January was the day set aside for the celebration which witnessed award ceremony in honour of the pioneer Provost of the school, Alhaji Gani Belo and six worthy alumnus which include Barrister Ajibola Kaka; Professor Samuel Onasanya; Dr (Mrs) Olubimpe Adekunle; Mr Dapo Agbelu; Barrister (Mrs) Seun Idowu and Mr. Ramon Solabi.

Also a lecture titled ‘Alumni Association and the Alma Mater in Recession Period’ was delivered by Onasanya, a Professor of Educational Technology and Head of Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin and a fundraising towards the building of a  Alumni national secretariat within the school premises.

Welcoming the gathering, the national president of the association, Mr. Tope Balogun, said the event was an opportunity for those who have passed through the institution to come together as stakeholders to rally support for the school.

Balogun noted that FCE, Osiele, has branded itself as an institution to reckon with among other Colleges of Education in Nigeria, based on the quality of its product.

He said, “The name, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, is a shinning star not just among Colleges of Education, but also a brand in the comity of higher institutions in Nigeria.

“Graduates of this Centre of Excellence continue to shine in their different fields of human endeavour not just in the teaching profession. Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Alumni Association, must therefore, take its rightful place among Alumni Associations of Higher Institutions in Nigeria.”

The chairman, organising committee of the celebration, Dr. Rafiu Soyele, said the programme was just a step further from the annual Alumni Night where graduands of a particular set were being celebrated.

He reiterated that the essence of their coming together was to reunite as old students of the College, to interact on how to add more value to the citadel of learning.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also bagged distinguished award as an outstanding governor in advancement of education.

Amosun represented by the state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota, said education remained a potent force for liberation and emancipation.

He urged the alumni body to keep lifting the school to greater heights.

Dr Ayodele Ajayi, the provost of the institution, said that the college awarded NCE and degree certificates in collaboration with the University of Ibadan.

Ajayi said that the institution had witnessed a lot of development because of the financial support from the Federal and the State Governments as well as private individual.

The guest lecturer called on the Federal Government to allow free flow of the naira, modernise agriculture and stabilise the oil sector to end recession.

Onasanya explained that Nigeria needed to expand her export earnings and production base through wise investment.

He reiterated that increase in agricultural produce and export would end recession and take Nigeria to the real position of giant of Africa.

“In the 1960s, agriculture was the mainstay of the nation’s economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), foreign exchange earnings and employment.

“Agricultural practice should be made lucrative among youths with the the availability of modern equipment and credit facilities that can enhance mechanised farming.

“Nigeria needs to expand her export earnings and production base through wise investment, otherwise she might likely end up in a situation where resources cannot support the population,” Onasanya said.

He advised the government to reduce tax rates on individuals, small businesses and corporation by lowering the tax rate by 10 per cent, adding that investors would be encouraged by tax reduction.