"Keep The Ship Sailing"

Science Minister at GCUOBA Luncheon: Standard of education not falling  - Ekpiwhre

Minister of Science and Technology, Chief (Mrs) Grace Ekpiwhre has waded into the debate whether standard of education in the country is falling or not, insisting that there has been profound improvement in education delivery today than ever before.

She told a gathering of distinguished Old Boys' of Government College Ughelli (GCUOBA) at the annual luncheon party in Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, 14^th December, 2008, that standard of education is not falling.

"There had been a debate on falling standard of education. I don't think standard of education is falling. Today's children are more knowledgeable. More parents are sending their children to school now than before. Classrooms are overcrowded, teacher/students ratio very high, which was not so before as there were few students to a teacher."

She noted that classrooms are overcrowded in which children without mental ability, not having natural ability are lumped together with the bright and gifted ones.

"Too much population in the schools and there is need to equip the schools with basic tools for educational development. Old Boys should assist in equipping laboratories, libraries and providing qualified teaching staff. Old students are employing teachers and paying them to help schools. Its obvious government alone cannot fund education. Corporate bodies, individuals are being called upon to contribute in the funding of education. This is a knowledge world."

"I've found out that without science and technology, no nation can develop. We need home grown technology. People talk about transfer of technology from developed countries. They can only transfer obsolete technology. Transferring is obsolete. No one gives out intellectual property."

She stated that the country should make sure it has its own technology, strive to develop indigenous technology and not depend on foreign countries to transfer their technology to Nigeria.

Ekpiwhre flayed the poor quality of graduates produced by tertiary institutions when today's engineers leave without being trained with requisite tools and equipment.

Graduates of Chemistry coming out without ever seeing a test tube.  There are no test tubes, no laboratories for teaching of science. She expressed delight, "pleased and happy to share with you (Old Boys') the joy of their days and the pleasantries when Old students meet."

"It is appropriate to discuss some issues concerning facilities, buildings, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, etc. From my interaction with some of the Old students, what stands out is the product, the products of Government College Ughelli. The caliber and quality of the products matter."

The Old Boys' were commended for giving the school a face lift, renovating and refurbishing dilapidated structures, and trying to restore the institution to its past glory.

"I urge you to continue helping the school, giving back to society, what society has given to you."

Chief (Engr) Joseph J. Akpieyi, President, GCUOBA, Lagos branch who is serving his last term in office, pointed to some of the accomplished projects of the Old Boys' Association, Lagos branch; to upgrade and rehabilitate broken down facilities, saying it's the most vibrant of all the branches.

These include roofing and painting of some blocks, renovation of the Assembly hall, refurbishing of the library with added windows and doors, increasing the height of king post for maximum efficiency of roof in throwing off rain water and reduce the load on the central beam to avoid sagging of roof and ceiling, construction of the statute of the founding principal of the college and other intervention works.

Akpieyi paid tribute to members of the executive committee like Dr. Taiwo idemudia, Mr. Okosubide Mozimo, Chief G.T.S. Adokpaye, Professor Olu Akinyanju, Mr. Alfred Okoigun, Arc Charles Majoroh, Dr. Henry Bozimo, Mr. Mac Emakpore, Mr. Andrew Ohiwerei, Mr. Happy Odjimogho, Mr. Clifford Akorah, and Mr. Gordons Egbedi, for their tireless contributions in sustaining the Association and renovation scheme in the college.

Dr. Gamaliel Onosode, President General GCUOBA Worldwide, in his opening remarks, agreed that the Lagos branch is the most vibrant, and pulling its weight, a leading light in the community of all the branches.

He said it has taken the lead in ensuring that the association is true to its commitment to uphold the ethos and the school never goes back to the Stone Age.

While congratulating the Lagos branch for its achievements, he emphasized the need for "every single Old Boy to address the challenge of the school remaining a flagship."

Onosode pointed to the transformation going on in the school today such as rehabilitation of classrooms and dormitories, thanking the old boys for restoring the glory of Government College Ughelli.

He recalled that the school started in 1945 and then relocated to Ughelli, with a vast land, large enough to accommodate a university.

"I was asked some time ago whether GCU will be converted to a university. I didn't answer the question. When we get to that bridge, we will cross it. We require energy to keep it up, maintain the large premises to reflect the glory of the school."

A minute silence was observed in memory of Late Stephen Agodo, the first student admitted into the college.

Chief Godwin Toritselaju Adokpaye, former CEO of Mobil, received the S.B. Agodo Distinguished medal award and became the first Old Boy to receive it.

Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard, was recognized as one of the ancient Mariners, another highly distinguished Old Boy of GCU.

Three others won merit awards. They are Professor John Amoda, a seasoned scholar, emeritus, Professor of Political Science, write and vanguard esteemed columnist, Mr. Arumemi Johnsson, Chairman ARIK Air and Mr. Alfred OKoigun, Managing Director, of Arco Petrochemical, for their renowned contributions to the development of their Alma Mater.

A new magazine produced by GCUOBA Lagos branch was launched by the Minister of Science and Technology, while prominent Old Boys' like Dr. Onosode, and Chief Akpieyi made significant donations towards efforts to modernize the school and continue with renovation work.

Culled from the vanguard Newspapers of Thursday, December, 18, 2008.