The Provost of the Federal College of Education, Okene, Dr. Ibrahim Ismaila Mosimabale, has called on the Federal Government to intensify effort in funding Colleges of Education in order to sustain and strengthen teacher education in the country.
Dr. Mosimabale described teaching as the bedrock for any development in any given society.
He made the call when members of the Unique Family Club paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Okene.
According to him, the situation has deteriorated to the point where staff of the institution had to contribute 10 per cent of their salaries last year to sponsor over 1,000 students in the college.
He lamented that declining student enrolment, coupled with poor funding, has become a major challenge facing the institution.
“Even this year, 2026, we also contributed 10 per cent of our salaries, yet we could not get up to 1,000 students,” he said.
He recalled that in the past, graduates of Colleges of Education had job opportunities waiting for them upon completion of their studies.
“In those days, during our time in the College of Education, before you finished your course of study as an NCE holder, a job was already waiting for you. Today, such opportunities no longer exist to encourage people to go into the teaching profession,” he said.
The Provost described the development as a national challenge, stressing that teacher education is crucial to national development and should not be allowed to decline.
“This is a national challenge that must be addressed. Teacher education is very vital to this nation and should not be allowed to die or fade out,” he added.
While commending members of the Unique Family Club for the visit, Dr. Mosimabale assured them that he would not take their commitment and support during his election as Provost for granted.
He specifically thanked Hon. Musa Bakare and Mr. Abiodun Ayedun for the love and concern they showed him during the election that produced him as Provost of the Federal College of Education Okene.
Earlier, the President of the club, Mr. Abiodun Ayedun, pledged the continued support of the club to the Provost.
He expressed confidence that Dr. Mosimabale would make the club proud through his record of performance.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Provost in charge of Academic, Dr. Muhammed Shehu Tijani, described the visit as a show of love and assured that the management would give maximum support to the Provost to enable him succeed.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of standing roll-on banner to the Provost by the President of Unique Family Club.
