There was confusion at the Enugu State College of Education Technical, ESCET, Friday, when the Chairman Governing Council of the college and former minister for Aviation, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze halted an ongoing 8th Matriculation of the college for over two hours.
It all started midway into the academic ceremony when Njeze with a handful of police escort walked into the arena and made straight to the Deputy Provost of the college, Dr. Osundu Eze, who was presiding over the ceremony. Eze and other management staff of the college were ordered out of the arena into the Njeze’s office, where they stayed for over two hours.
It was a waiting game which left the matriculating students, the visitors and the staff stranded, disgusted and even hopeless.
The Deputy Provost however emerged later to tender an apology, explaining that the problem was because the college did not inform Njeze about the Matriculation.
Everyday News gathered that Njeze had earlier summoned the Provost of the College, Prof. Ngozi Nnamani, to the State Government House which made her delegate duties to her deputy.
But on learning that the Matriculation was ongoing, she (Njeze) was infuriated and left government House to perform this show of shame which has embarrassed everybody.
She has been our problem since she assumed office,” lamented a lecturer in the college who pleaded anynomity. The former minister failed to reply enquiries made on her through phone text message, to clarify on the incident. Addressing the convocation later, Provost of the college, Prof. Nnamani represented by Deputy Provost, Dr. Eze disclosed that the National Universities Commission had re-accredited it’s 15 degree programmes and maiden accreditation of 2 new mature programmes.
Nnamani stated that the college had stepped up its physical structures on both classrooms and laboratories “No wonder, the college secured full accreditation status for 12 out of 15 programmes at NCE level and interim in the remaining 3 programmes,” she said.
The Provost assured the students the college will always provide qualitative learning environment that will help in nurturing and equipping them with necessary knowledge and skills.
