CSO lauds Ikwuegbu over transformation of FCE Eha-Amufu

The African Leadership Strategy and Transparency Development Initiative (ALSTDI) has commended the Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Pauline Ikwuegbu, for the remarkable transformation of the institution over the past seven years.

Executive Director of the group, Nelson Osseize, gave the commendation while addressing journalists at a news conference in Abuja, where he presented the findings of the organisation’s independent assessment of the College’s projects, academic development, and community impact.

According to him, the institution, which serves as the only federal presence in Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, has witnessed a significant turnaround under Ikwuegbu’s leadership, moving from a state of infrastructural decay to a modern academic environment.

He said, “For over seven years, the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu has undergone a renaissance that has redefined its place in Nigeria’s teacher-education landscape.”

He noted that prior to her assumption of office, the College grappled with dilapidated hostels, poor road networks, unreliable power supply, and limited academic facilities.

However, Osseize said ALSTDI’s verification exercise confirmed the execution of extensive infrastructure projects, including a fully tarred internal road network, modern academic buildings, upgraded hostels, and solar-powered electricity installations across the campus.

“All projects were found to be completed, in use, and serving their intended academic and administrative purposes,” he stated.

He further highlighted the establishment of an ultra-modern entrepreneurship centre and a new library complex, describing them as benchmarks for similar institutions across the country.

On academic development, the ALSTDI boss credited Ikwuegbu with introducing a bi-modal system that allows the College to run both Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes, thereby expanding access to higher education.

“For aspiring teachers, the ‘distance to opportunity’ has been cut dramatically,” Osseize said.

He added that the administration also strengthened staff capacity through TETFund-supported training, research, and conference participation, leading to improved morale and productivity among staff.

Speaking on innovation, Osseize said the College aligned its curriculum with the agrarian nature of its host community by investing in practical agricultural facilities, including piggery, poultry, and research units.

“These are not showcase farms. Students use them for practicals, SIWES, and entrepreneurship training,” he explained.

The ALSTDI Executive Director also commended the Provost’s inclusive approach to governance, noting that communities previously excluded from employment opportunities, particularly Umualor, now have increased representation in the College workforce.

He added that the establishment of a College/Community Relations Committee had improved engagement with host communities and reduced longstanding tensions.

Assessing budget performance, Osseize said projects executed under Ikwuegbu’s leadership reflected efficiency and accountability.

“Government-assisted interventions attracted during her tenure were completed and put to use, avoiding the ‘abandoned project’ syndrome common in the sector,” he said.

He further observed that the College’s growth has had a positive ripple effect on the host community, boosting commercial activities and increasing property values.

“Residents now describe the College as ‘the one federal thing we can see and touch,’ reflecting a renewed sense of inclusion,” he added.

Despite what he described as a “campaign of calumny” against the administration, Osseize maintained that performance should be judged based on measurable outcomes.

“Policy should be judged by verifiable outcomes. On infrastructure, access, equity, and community relations, the outcomes are documented,” he said.