Jonathan to Hand over Ministries, Agencies Briefs to Buhari May 28

President Goodluck Jonathan will on May 28 in a brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa, hand over ministries and agencies’ briefs to the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan will also the same day, take Buhari on a guided tour round the villa. This is just as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved five universities.

The council will equally hold its valedictory session next Wednesday. This was disclosed yesterday when the Information Minister, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki, jointly briefed State House correspondents with Education Minister, Ibrahim Shekarau, at the end of the council meeting.

Akwashiki who outlined the hand over ceremony, also said there would be dinner on May 28. Shekarau, on his part, said four federal colleges of education were converted to universities. Shekarau listed the colleges of education as Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (now Adeyemi University of Education, Ondo); Federal College of Education, Zaria (now Federal University of Education, Zaria); Federal College of Education, Kano (now Federal University of Education, Kano); and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri (now Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri).

According to him, the colleges of education were part of the 21 federal colleges of education that had been awarding degree programmes in the last three decades under the close supervision of the different universities they are affiliated to. He said the conversion of the colleges of education to universities was imperative as they will churn out more graduates to enhance quality teaching. “We are heading to having more graduates in the teaching profession and hence the need for these universities to produce graduates in education. If we need quality education, we need quality teachers,” the minister added. According to him, the next step to be taken was the amendment to the laws establishing the colleges, which is to be prepared by Justice Ministry.

He stressed that administrative changes would follow suit. Shekarau also told journalists that FEC approved the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue State. The university was formally College of Medical Health Sciences under the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. The minister disclosed that institution had been granted autonomy as part of continuous efforts to ensure quality graduates into the various fields of medicine and sciences.