ALUMNI ASSOCIATION URGES SOLUDO TO ELEVATE NOCEN TO DEGREE-AWARDING INSTITUTION

By Uzo Ugwunze :

Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe (NOCEN) Alumni Association has urged the Anambra State Government to elevate the Institution to a degree awarding status or university of education considering that the college has consistently produced graduates who excel in their fields with the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.

The request was made during the Alumni Association Maiden Homecoming which held from Friday November 22nd to Sunday November 24th, 2024 at the Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe Anambra East LGA, Anambra State.

Speaking during the event, the NOCEN Alumni Association National President Prince Emeka Oramadike stated: “the time has come for the government to recognize the indispensable role NOCEN plays in our society and provide the intervention necessary to ensure that our college remains a beacon of educational excellence for years to come.

The Legal adviser to the Alumni Association, Nnadiume Awforkansi appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to put up an executive bill to elevate the Institution to the House of Assembly, saying that majority of the lecturers in the college are also lecturing degree students. “We want the governor not just to elevate the Institution to a degree awarding status but to make it a pioneer University of Education in the entire South Eastern Nigeria.

Earlier in her welcome address, the NOCEN Provost, Dr Mrs. Justina Anyadiegwu who was represented by the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr Michael Ejike Meze said that the pressing needs facing the college include sourcing for revenue and upgrading the college to a university of education.

The keynote Speaker, Head of Department of Mathematics, NOCEN, Ven Dr. Charles Chukwurah who spoke on the ‘Role of College of Education in Emerging Digital Education of our Changing World’ urged both the federal and state government to fund digital education thereby providing an enabling environment for both educators and learners.

The Chairman Maiden Homecoming Planning Committee, UBAKA Onwuanuibe who graduated from the College in 1987 said that the 3-day event featured fraternizing with the college environment, parleying with the students, gala night, lectures, keynote addresses by resource persons, launching of Alumni projects especially the Re-activation, Rehabilitation and reticulation of college water boreholes, Merit Awards/ Special Recognitions and Admission into NOCEN Alumni Hall of Fame, Cultural dances, Church Service among others.

Those admitted into the Alumni Hall of Fame include Vice Chancellor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Prof Mrs Kate Azuka Omenugha, Life Patron, NOCEN Alumni Association, a pioneer student of the college. Receiving the award on her behalf was her classmate, Mr Chidi Tagbo, a retired Principal and others.

A University Don at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr Mrs. Chioma Alice Onwuasoigwe of Class of 87′ who was so excited about the newly established NOCEN Alumni Association called on every Alumnus of the College to think home, join hands together with the leadership of the Alumni to move the Association forward while giving back to their alma mater.