By Aniefiok Christopher
The Federal College of Education, Ididep in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has matriculated 583 students into various academic programmes for the 2025/2025 academic session, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s growth and commitment to teachers’ education.
The colourful ceremony held at the campus attracted the crème la creme of the society including the political class, education stakeholders and community members on Wednesday, witnessing the maiden matriculation ceremony of the school.
The Provost of the College, Dr Edem Ntuk at the event witnessed by the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ubong Umoh, the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, Edidem (Dr) Ime Udousoro Inyang and the facilitator of the College, Senator Ita Enang, announced that a total of 583 were admitted for the 2024/2025 academic year.
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Welcoming the guests and pioneer students, Dr Ntuk said the event marks a significant milestone in the history of the institution as he explained that the matriculants are spread into 6 Schools and 20 Departments, while assuring them of a congenial atmosphere for scholarship and for research.
“Our College offers National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in 20 departments under six schools, including Education, Vocational and Technical Education, Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Early Childhood Care and Primary Education and Languages,” the Provost stated.
He commended Senator Ita Enang for providing the initial scholarship to Ididep indigenes, amongst others that made the beginning of academic activities possible.
According to him, the institution established in May 2023 by the Federal Government of Nigeria, is situated on 94.927 hectares donated by the Akwa Ibom State Government, seeks to train highly skilled, competent professional teachers relevant in the nation’s basic education level and beyond.
The Chairman of the Matriculation ceremony and facilitator of the College, Senator Enang, in his remarks, said he was excited to witness the actualization of a long awaited dream of having a Federal institution in Ibiono Ibom in particular and the State at large.
Enang paid tribute to the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the establishment of the College, the Federal and State Government for their desire to improve the standard and quality of education in the country.
Senator Enang who admitted to have awarded scholarships to an undisclosed number of Ididep students, said the Community will continue to partner the State and Federal Government in making the institution a citadel of learning.
He charged students of the College to avoid acts that can truncate their stay in the institution and congratulated them for emerging the pioneer students of the College, adding that his interest in the College was to leave a legacy for his community.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof Ubong Umoh, the member representing Ibiono Ibom in the State House of Assembly, Hon Moses Essien and the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Hon Asuakak Umoh in their separate remarks, congratulated the management of the institution on the successful admission of the pioneer batch of students for the college.
Commending the Federal Government for citing of institution in Ibiono Ibom, the trio expressed confidence that the College will expand and achieve greater heights in the education sector of the country.
Equally present at the event were Principal Officers of the College including the Registrar, Mr Nsemeke Udoakpan, Mr Samuel Oyigicho, the Bursar and Dr Celina Nongo, the Librarian.
