By James Shim
The Acting Provost, College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Dr Maurice Tyôkever has taken steps to ensure high academic standards, harmonious and peaceful co-existence between the host community and College of Education, Katsina ala.
Towards this end, the Ag. Provost has paid familiarisation visit to the Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Dr Fezanga Benjamin Wombo to identify with him, inform him of his new appointment and receive royal blessings.
Dr Tyôkever also, alongside his management team interacted with the host community – Abaver family to solicit their collective support and intimate them of his desire to reposition the institution for the over all benefits of the community and the institution.
In his address during the visit on the Tee Katsina-Ala on the 2nd August, 2023 at the Ter Katsina-Ala’s Palace in Katsina-Ala, Dr Tyôkever solicited for support and blessings from the Ter Katsina-Ala to enable him successfully take the college to the promised land.
He emphasised that without the contributions of the traditional institution all his efforts would be in vain.
The Ag. Provost appreciated the Executive governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Alia for finding him worthy of the appointment and vowed put in his best to restore the lost glory of the college.
Responding, the Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Dr F.B. Wombo congratulated Dr Tyôkever on his elevation and expressed happiness for the visit.
The traditional ruler described the visit as timely and a good start and prayed God to give the leadership of the institution the strength and wisdom to revive the college for academic and socio-economic activities to flourish for development.
Meanwhile, Dr Tyokever in his interaction with the Abaver family promised that both the Demonstration Secondary School and Nursery as well as Practicing School shall be revived and made to resume by September this year.
He appealed to members of the community to send their children for enrollment in the schools as admission will be free of charge.
Responding, the Abaver family, led by the Kindred Head of Akata, Zaki Akighirga Anhwange commended the Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia for finding one of their illustrious sons worthy for the exalted position and assured the Aging Provost of their maximum support.
Zaki Anhwange equally advised Acting Provost to work in harmony with the management team of the college and prayed God to give him the strength and wisdom to reform the institution.
Rev Fr Clement Ugoh had earlier blessed the offices of the the Acting Provost and other principal staff of the college, including the college vehicles.
The Ag Provost who was until his appointment a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Education, had upon assumption of office in the present capacity promised to revamp the institution.
In his maiden address to students at the COEASU Secretariat, Dr Tyôkever said he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the lost glory of the college was restored:
” I stand to deliver this school from the bondage that has taken this college from the glorious height to the intensive care unit. Some departments of the college like the Practicing School and the Demonstration School are all in comatose”.
He announced the resumption of the NCE programme and assured the students that issues that led to the strike action on the B.Ed Programme run in the school in affiliation with the University of Calabar would be soonest.
The Ag Provost however frowned at the mushroom institutions affiliated with the College and vowed to let them off immediately so that sanity would be restored.
