Owerri: First-year students have been urged to fully embrace the rich legacy of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri (AIFCE). The Provost of the College, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Lemchi made this call in her speech during the 45th Matriculation ceremony of the institution held on Thursday, 11th May, 2023 at the College Pavilion.
Speaking at the Matriculation ground, Dr. (Mrs.) Lemchi emphasised the College’s contribution to the development of Nigeria, “Our institution is renowned for providing quality education, producing competent teachers and contributing to the development of our nation.” The Provost used the opportunity to recall that the College “has a rich legacy that spans over several decades” as “This year our College marks its Diamond Jubilee – sixty years of excellence.”
The Don commended the new entrants for gaining admission into the College and declared that, “Your admission into this foremost College is a testament to your hard work and dedication, and we are delighted to have you join us as members of this academic community.” She accepted the responsibility the students had entrusted to the College by choosing to come there for studies. In her words: “We recognise the trust and confidence that you have placed in us, and we pledge to do everything in our power to ensure that your time here is fruitful and rewarding.”
Dr. (Mrs.) Lemchi used the opportunity to educate the Matriculating students that, “This College is a place where you will encounter a diverse range of people, ideas, and perspectives.” Most importantly, she encouraged them to be open-minded, respectful and tolerant and emphatically told the students that they were expected to conduct themselves “with the highest standards of integrity and honesty.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Charles A. Igwe, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education and Member of the AIFCE Governing Council, Professor Joachim C. Omeje, in his address to the Matriculating Degree Students congratulated them on their admission to the University of Nigeria and admonished them to religiously keep to the rules and regulations of the University and the College. He made it very clear that the journey was going to be a seemingly long, rough and tedious one, but that they should not lose heart. And that there was the need to remain focused and pursue their dreams in order to be successful at last.
The ceremony featured the symbolic signing of the Matricula by students who represented their various Schools. A high point of the event was the handing over of the Matricula to the Deputy Provost, who in turn handed it over to the Registrar to present to the Provost of the College as a mark of completion of the Matriculation rites.
The event also featured the inauguration of a Parents-Management Forum aimed at fostering a close relationship between Parents and the Management of the College. In her address during the inauguration of the Forum, the Provost said that the platform was to help Parents get first-hand information from the Management. And also to be a vehicle for fruitful engagement and updates to enhance the partnership between Parents and the Management. Following the inauguration, an Interim Executive Committee was appointed pending the proper formation of the Forum and election of leaders. The members of the Interim Committee were Mr. Ndemchukwu, Chairman; Barr. B. F. Anyanwu, Vice Chairman; Mr. Anyaoha Anthony, Secretary; Mrs. Pat Ugwuegbulam, Treasurer; Mrs. Esther Ndukwu, Financial Secretary and Mr. Tony Ololoh, PRO.
In his acceptance speech, the Interim Chairman, Mr. Ndemchukwu thanked the Provost and Management for giving them the opportunity to serve in that capacity. He equally commended the College on a well-organised Matriculation.
The 45th Matriculation ceremony commenced at 11:00 a.m. with a Procession led by the Man O’ War Band. The colourful Procession included Matriculants from the respective Schools, staff of the College, and the Provost’s Procession, which had members of the College Management, representatives of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Registrar of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).