Imo College of Education Inaugurates Women in Colleges of Education

Everest Ezihe, Owerri

Despite the tremendous infrastructural development, improvement in quality of education, staff and students welfare recently experienced in Imo State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma, the institution just added another feather to her litanies of achievements by inaugurating the institution’s maiden chapter of the Association of Women in Colleges of Education, WICE.

In her address of welcome during the well-attended landmark inauguration programme held recently at the institution’s conference Hall, Dr Mrs Chinyere Nwachukwu, the Acting Provost of the College expressed gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s led administration for their supportive commitments in the overall development and transformation of the school.

Nwachukwu further gave thumbs up to the institution’s governing council under the leadership of HRH Eze Dr Oliver Ohanwe, for their sacrifices in ensuring the school attains global standards and maintained harmonious relationships with her host communities.

The Acting Provost while expressing satisfaction with the attendance and planning of the programme assured that the existence of the association in the school will help in the leveraging efforts of the institution and serve as a great booster to the committed role of women in the growth, advancement and transformation of education in Nigeria.

According to her, ” time was when women were almost excluded from learning. Education then was considered the birthright of male folks. Women were reduced to learning domestic work, doing house chores and at most learning trades. Now, thanks be to God, the narratives have changed for the better. There are even more women in both secondary and tertiary institutions than men, not just as students but also as teachers.

” From birth, God created women to be teachers, women remain the first teacher their children have from infancy until they begin formal education, from bathing their children, mothers teach their kids how to bath themselves, from talking to these small creatures, mothers teach them how to open their mouth and express their needs. Women are therefore naturally gifted to be teachers, first informally in their respective families and homes and later as professional teachers in various institutions of learning.

” We have gathered together today to formalize and cement our position as professional teachers in Colleges of Education. Nature has equipped us with the best endowment as seasoned teachers, and education has elevated and refined such natural endowment, the inauguration of this association of Women in Colleges of Education, WICE will help to bring out the best in us through our teaching career, and we will positively transform the society. We the women in this College are determined to ensure that this association grows from strength to strength” she insisted.

Earlier in her speech, Dr Mrs Louisa Oby Unugo, South East Zonal Coordinator of WICE congratulated Imo State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma chapter for joining the national association and canvassed the need for commitments in all activities of the association within and outside the school environment.

Unugo reiterated the objective of the association which includes the promotion of the social and economic welfare of women with special emphasis on education and training. promotion of women’s education in colleges of education and other institutions of learning within and outside Nigeria.

Other of their missions and vision, she pointed out include; awakening and encouraging women to realize their responsibilities in their communities and the nation at large, ensuring that women are given every opportunity to play their part as fully responsible members of the community and fostering mutual relationship and cooperation with other national and international bodies with similar aims and objectives among others.

The highlights of the occasion were a cultural dance exhibition by the members of the association as led by the Acting Provost, Dr Mrs Nwachukwu just as she was accompanied by some visiting national leaders of the association in swearing in the newly appointed 7 women executives of the association’s chapter, led by Mrs Onuoha Angela Chidinma – Chairperson, Dr Mrs Mmachi Chidozie – Secretary and Mrs Chidinma Okehi – Deputy Chairperson.

Others are Dr Mrs Grace Amajuoyi – Treasurer, Mrs Jackson Grace – Provost, Mrs obi Perpetua – Financial Secretary
and Dr Mrs Peace Onuoha – Welfare Officer.

In her acceptance speech, the excited Chairperson(Onuoha) expressed happiness for the confidence and trust the management reposed in her as reflected by the appointment and assured them of total commitment and dedication in piloting the affairs of the association.

She further commended the management of the institution for their patriotism in uplifting the standard of the College and solicited their assistance and cooperation in moving the association forward.

Among the eminent personalities who graced the landmark occasion are; Mrs Ajaolua Onyekachi, Chairperson, WICE, Ebonyi State College of Education -Ikwo chapter, Mrs Nkiru Achuba, Chairperson, WICE, Federal College of Education (Technical) – Umunze chapter, Mrs Chinyere Ayamah, Registrar, Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo and
Member – WICE Ikwo chapter. Acting
Provost, Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) Imo State College of Education, Ihitte Uboma Chapter.