The Provost of College of Education, Warri, COEWA, Dr. Dickson O. Oyovwi, has identified landscaping of the College to avoid flooding and poor sanitary conditions as well as the abandoned DESOPADEC Main Administrative building in the school, as major challenges facing College of Education, Warri.
Fresh Angle International can report that Dr. Oyovwi, who is the first home bred Provost of COEWA, disclosed the challenges Thursday May 11, during a press briefing to announce the 20th Convocation Ceremony of College of Education, Warri, coming up on Saturday May 13.
The Provost, who expressed optimism that the abandoned administrative building, will be completed before the end of his tenure, declared that cultism doesn’t exist in COEWA.
Dr. Iyovwi, speaks:
While thanking the outgoing Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for supporting the institution, Dr. Oyovwi, stated: “We are happy that a group of 99 staff who were relieved of their duties in 2015 for alleged fraudulent employment and who went to court have been reengaged. This has further created industrial peace in the College.”
He averred inter-alia: “I will not fail to appreciate the trade union on campus – COEASU, SUCCOEN and NASU for creating a cordial industrial environment on Campus. Your agitations for an internal Provost, is what we are benefiting today.
“On my resumption as Provost, I and the Management team hit the ground running. We set our goals and targets, created new vistas and sought the cooperation of all stakeholders. We are proud to say that we are achieving our targets and even more.
Inherited Projects: We inherited some infrastructural projects from the past Management. We are following up on these projects. They are:-
(a) Students Hostel under construction based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement. We have taken the project to roofing level. On completion, the hostel will accommodate 400 students.
(b) Entrepreneurial building, sponsored by Tetfund. The house has been roofed, awaiting completion and handover in the next few months.
Attracted Projects: These Management has also attracted a reasonable number of projects since we came in. They include:
(1) Guidance and Counselling Department and Office for Chief Lecturers sponsored by Tetfund. It is at completion stage.
(2) Renovation of one-storey building block of classrooms, sponsored by Tetfund, which is completed with classroom furniture
(3) Ongoing construction of 2-storey building for classroom and offices sponsored by Tetfund.
(4) Roofing of abandoned project in front of the Provost Office, sponsored by Tetfund It will soon be completed and put to use
From Left: Dr. (Mrs.) Fidelia Ighrakpata, Dr. Dickson Oyovwi & Mr. Fred Omajugho
“Rainstorm as a Blessing: Sometime in April 2021, a heavy rainstorm destroyed the walkways in the College, removed several building roofs and destroyed some equipment. We reached out to the Delta State Government, Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), State and National Emergency Agencies, etc. We are happy to inform you that NDDC and the State Government responded and all damaged roofs, buildings, etc have been restored and given a facelift. We use this opportunity to thank NDDC and the State Government.
“Resolution of Industrial Dispute: We are grateful to the State Governor and Government, we are happy that a group of 99 staff who were relieved of their duties in 2015 for alleged fraudulent employment and who went to court have been reengaged. This has further created industrial peace in the College.
“Staff Welfare: We have not failed in paying salaries and honorariums to staff as and at when due. Our staff development programme and Institution Based Research sponsored by Tetfund are on course as we assess and account for the fund to Tetfund without issue. We also pay teaching practice allowance as and at when due.
“The list of our achievements are numerous. We cannot exhaust them here but a tour of the campus will reveal more.
“The prospect of the College is very bright. Although, we are an NCE awarding institution, we have affiliation arrangements with Delta State University, Abraka and University of Benin, Benin-City for running Degree and Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programmes.
“The big one is that we have also affiliated with Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port-Harcourt for a Masters’ Degree in Education.