Rectors, Provosts Congratulate, Hail Appointments of the Duo
BY MARYAM MUSA
Following approval of their appointments by the Federal Government as Executive Secretaries of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and National Commission For Colleges of Education (NCCE), Professor Idris Bugaje and Professor Paulinus C. Okwelle have since assumed office with the promise to move the regulatory agencies to unparalleled and enviable heights.
Professor Bugaje, a veteran Polytechnic Administrator, was appointed while he was still serving his tenure as the Rector of Kaduna Polytechnic.
The internationally recognized and respected
Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Professor Bugaje is one of the most- sought-after Institutions Administrators in Nigeria, because of his hard work, uncompromising principles, passion and unflinching commitment to turn moribund Institutions around.
Despite the huge and uphill challenges at the Board, and which had for long been in a serious state of malfunction, Professor Bugaje is reported to have accepted the appointment as a challenge.
The new NBTE Executive Secretary was also at different times Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, and Director General of National Research Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT), Basawa Zaria.
Professor Bugaje who is an indigene of Katsina state is a visiting Professor in multiple Universities in different parts of the world.
It would be recalled that Professor Bugaje was among the more than one hundred candidates that applied for the NBTE exalted seat more than eight years ago, out of whom about 80 candidates were shortlisted for a one-week marathon interview, and out of which he became tops, but was denied the position.
But, because it has been destined that he will hold the position, he has eventually been so appointed.
On his part, Professor Okwelle, a reputable educationist, University academic/administrator, has taught in different capacities in various institutions of higher learning such as College of Education Port-Hacort, Rivers State, Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi, Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, from where he moved to Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt as Lecturer II where he rose to the position of Professor.
Prof Okwelle who has written multiple journal articles which were published in different local and international journals, has also published many academic books.
Professor Okwelle has also attended several local and international conferences in Nigeria and in different parts of the world.
The new NCCE Executive Secretary, has supervised several undergraduate, Masters and PhD Students.
It would be recalled that Prof Okwelle’s appointment was announced alongside Prof John Okpaku Enaohwo as Chairman, Governing Board of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
Following Prof Okwelle’s popular appointment, Provosts of several Colleges of Education such as Mr. Emmanuel Jurte of College of Education Gindiri, Dr. Wahab Ademola Azeez, Federal College of Education Akoka, Lagos State, Prof. Muhammad Fagge, Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi, Dr. Suleiman Balarabe, Federal College of Education, Zaria, Dr. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa, Federal College of Education Asaba, and Prof. Faruk Rashid Ibrahim, Federal College of Education Kontagora, congratulated the new Executive Secretary and prayed to the Almighty Allah to support and see him through in moving the commission to greater heights.
Similarly, the Rectors of Federal Polytechnic Bida, and Nasarawa, Dr Abubakar A. Dzukogi and Dr. Abdullahi Alhassan respectively, congratulated the New Executive Secretary of National Board to Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje who they described as one of the most competent administrators appointed in recent time to steer affairs of the board. They prayed to the Almighty Allah to guide him and give him more wisdom to make a difference and leave indelible marks in the board.