By Florence Ugbem
The Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFund, Arc. Sonny A.T. Echono, has urged Desk Officers to be fully equipped and knowledgeable on the guidelines and procedures of the organisation, as well as be fully informed on the nature and methods of TETFund operations since they are the interface between the beneficiary institutions and the fund.
Arc. Echono tasked desk officers on Wednesday at a two-day TETFund Desk Officers workshop on TETFund intervention programmes in beneficiary institutions, held at Calivia Event Centre, Makurdi.
The ES in his welcome address noted that the choice of the theme: “Improving TETFund intervention programmes and processes in beneficiary institutions” was deliberate.
“As desk officers of the various intervention lines, you carry out a very significant role in the conception, reconciliation, and implementation of the Fund’s programs and process. You are the critical interface or intermediary between the Fund, and your Chief Executives, who are the accounting officers of the intervention allocations”, he said.
The ES stressed the significance of the workshop, which he noted can not be overemphasized, noting that the essence of the workshop was to engage, dialogue, discuss and challenge participants on the ways to improve operations and smoothen the process of accessing interventions and their implementation by beneficiary institutions.
He explained that the workshop was aimed at bridging the gap that exists between the Fund and beneficiary institutions regarding TETFund procedures and processes about all its intervention lines, adding that the Fund had taken deliberate actions aimed at solving persistent problems and making progress more efficient.
Arc. Echono revealed that his vision and interest were in the promotion of research, innovation, computer, and information technology in TETFund’s intervention programes across institutions. while noting that remarkable progress has been made in the actualisation of the set goals and vision for the organization
He urged participants at the workshop to utilize the platform to discuss some of the issues affecting their institutions and intervention lines. Adding that their ideas, suggestions, and contributions on how best to improve the intervention lines remain valuable and significant to the operations of TETFund.