Location of FCE: Equity, justice will prevail – Akande assures youths

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Former governor of Osun state,chiefbBisi Akande has reiterated the need for youths to exercise restraint and believe that justice would be done to all concerned in the citing of federal institution in the state.
He spoke through Adelani Baderinwa to Newdawnngr in response to protest by youths who went to his house Sunday to express their displeasure over allege citing of federal college of education in Ila orangun.
He said since distribution of federal amenities is dine to follow issue of fairness to all concerned,it will be unthinkable to believe a section will be left out while others who have several state institutions are left out of the bargain.
The youths from Iwo who stormed his residence had gone there asking him to intervene as an elder to prevail on federal authorities to sway the location to the ancient town.
However,in a swift reaction,the Federal Government has stated that it is yet to decide on the location of the new six (6) Colleges of Education recently approved.

Director Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Bem Goong, revealed this on Sunday.

He described letters purportedly emanating from the Federal Ministry of Education and circulating in the social media as fake.

He said the Ministry was appalled by the fake letter purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc Sonny Echono.

“I’m aware of the letter. The Permanent Secretary showed it to me on Friday. It is fake. We will do something about this before serious havoc do,” he said.

There was confusion when two letters were written on the same date and addressed to Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Executive Governor of Osun State, from the Federal Ministry of Education with the same signature carrying different approvals for the location of the new College of Education in the state.

While one of the letters indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a College of Education to be located at Iwo in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria.

The second letter said President Buhari has approved the establishment of a College of Education to be located at Ila Orangun, Ila local government of Osun State.

The two controversial letters dated 16th April 2020, all addressed to Osun State Governor entitled: “Approval of the Establishment of new College of Education in Osun State was purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono.

One of the letters reads, “I write to inform your Excellency that Mr President has graciously approved the establishment of six (6) new Colleges of Education across the six (6) geopolitical zones to address the emergency education needs of the country particularly in the states where such federal institutions do not exist.

“Consequently, the president has approved the establishment of a College of Education to be located at Iwo in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria.

“In view of the above, a Technical Term from the federal Ministry of Education (FME) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) would be visiting your state to review and inspect the location from 11th May 2020 to facilitate early take-off.

“Kindly accord the members of the Team necessary cooperation as they liaise with State Officials (Hon. Commissioner and his team) to ensure adequate arrangement for the commencement of academic activities by October 2020.”

In apparent contradiction, paragraph two of the second approval letter carried Ila Orangun, Ila local government of Osun State as the location of the College of Education.

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