… Commends Hope Uzodimma, Tinubu For Commitment Towards The University Upgrade
By Francis Ndimkoha
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri and immediate past Provost of the college, Dr. Ngozi Stella Lemchi on Tuesday 7th November 2023 address a press conference, in the council chambers, to clarify issues concerning the status of the institution, at the moment.
According to the Home Economics expert, Alvan Ikoku University of Education (AIUE), Formerly, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE) Started in 1963 as Advanced Teachers Training College Edict 11, in May 1973, having been named after the proprietor of the first indigenously owned Private Secondary School, in Nigeria and Secretary of Nigerian Union of Teachers, Dr. Alvan Ikoku.
The institution, in 1981, commenced Awarding Degree in Education, in affiliation with UNN.
It was eventually upgraded to the 21st Federal college of Education, in Nigeria and Started the journey to awarding postgraduate degree with a Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) programme, in affiliation with Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), in 2012.
According to the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, who currently, in charge of the day to day running of the institution, the first attempt to upgrade to a University was in April, 2015 but reverted to college status, later Same year.
However, respite came on 2nd June 2023, when the Federal Government announced lifting of the earlier hold on the University Status of the institution.
Subsequently, a joint team of Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and the Federal Ministry of Education, was set up, to assess the school in readiness for the new Status.
Finally, on 20th Day of October 2023, official University status was announced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government. And on 30th of October, Federal Government conveyed a letter of the final conversion of University Status, and announcement of the Erstwhile Provost of the college, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Stella Lemchi, as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor of the new University.
On behalf of the almost 400 PhD staff of the institution, Dr. Mrs Lemchi expressed gratitude to men and women of Goodwill for the actualisation of this dream, including successive Federal Government, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the prompt final approval of the immediate take of the university.
She thanked to Prof. Tahir Mamman, Education Minister for fair assessment, which made the conversion a reality.
In a very special way, she appreciated the unrelenting effort of Sen. Hope Uzodimma (Onwa) for the dedicated commitment to the realization of the dream of the conversion of the institution to a University, from the inception of his tenure as Governor till date.
In answer to a question from the Activist media consultant, Francis Ndimkoha, Dr. Lemchi stated that Alvan Ikoku University will commence admission from 2024/25 academic session, after JAMB updates the Status of the University on their platform.
Among those present at the Alvan Press Conference were: Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Stella Lemchi, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ngozi Ebomuche, Deputy Provost Barr. BF Anyanwu, Acting Registrar, Dr. Nicholas Nkworji, Acting Bursar, Dr. Mrs. Uchenna Nwigwe, Acting Librarian. Nnaemeka Ijioma, PRO, Union leaders and others.