From Olanrewaju Lawal, Sokoto
The Federal College of Education (FCE), Gidan Madi in Sokoto State, on Wednesday, matriculated 318 students during its 2nd matriculation ceremony held at the college.
The college, which was established in 2019, started academic activities in 2023 with eight programmes.
The programmes comprised metalwork technology, woodwork technology, electrical and electronic, computer science, business education, computer education, mathematics and physics.
In his speech, the Provost of the college, Prof. Faruk Umar-Zaki said the institution was planning to expand its programmes to complete the School of Vocational and Technical Education and School of Science education.
“The college is planning to expand its programmes through the introduction of automobile technology, building technology, agricultural science and home economics to complete the school of vocational and technical education.
“We are also introducing chemistry education, biology education and integrated science to complete the school of science education.
“A team from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) came last year for resources verification on the 20th of August,” he said.
On achievements recorded so far, Umar-Zaki said that the college was presently equipping its entrepreneurship centre, adding that the production of soap and vaseline had already started.
“The setting up of the tailoring workshop is expected to be completed in two days.
“The ICT centre is already functional and the computer application programme for the staff has already taken off since last year.
“Equally, we have an increase in the enrolment of the students. Last year, we had over 287 but this year we have over 318 students,” he said.
On infrastructure, the provost added that last year, there was no students’ hostel “but this year we have a students’ hostel.”
He noted that last year, the college had a limited number of offices, but presently had more offices for its staff.
“Equally, the computer science laboratory is also set up and students’ practical computer training has already started.
“The college library is also set up and stocked with physical books while we are embarking on e-library development.
“All these little efforts are meant to support the skill development drive of the Federal Government from where the college drew its motto: ‘Learning for Self- Reliance’,” he said.
While congratulating the students, Umar-Zaki implored them to be security conscious and report any suspicious character to the college authority.
He advised them to always abide by the rules and regulations of the college and charged them to concentrate on their studies.
Umar-Zaki commended President Bola Tinubu for the budget allocation to education, while also applauding the Tertiary Education Trust Fund scheme and the Federal Ministry of Education for their support and all the developmental projects in the college.
Similarly, the provost commended the Gidan Madi community and the Sokoto State Government for their support and hospitality to the college.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Prof. Musa-Garba Maitafsir, represented by the Director of NTI, Sokoto Office, Abubakar Muhammad, assured the college of collaboration in the areas of teaching and learning.
On his part, the Vice-Chancellor, Sokoto State University, Prof. Bashir Garba, lauded the developmental strides in the college and enjoined the students to shun all forms of negative tendencies inimical to their educational pursuit.