By Iwuagwu Faith O.
Distinguished Senator Uche Ekwunife has been formally decorated with the prestigious Fellowship Award of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, in recognition of her outstanding contributions and support towards the development of the institution.
Senator Ekwunife was among the distinguished personalities conferred with the Fellowship Award during the College’s last Convocation Ceremony. However, owing to her inability to attend the ceremony, she had indicated her intention to personally visit the College to receive the award.
She fulfilled the promise on Friday, August 14, 2026, when she visited the institution with her entourage and was formally decorated with the Fellowship insignia by the Provost, Dr Virginia Nonye Ejezie, and other members of the College Management at a brief ceremony held at the Provost’s Office.
The distinguished Senator was warmly received by the Provost, members of the College Management and Deans of the various Schools.
Welcoming the Senator, Dr Ejezie expressed appreciation for her support and contributions to the growth of the College. She also appealed for a renewed partnership and stronger relationship between Senator Ekwunife and the institution in the interest of advancing education and strengthening the College.
Presenting the Fellowship Award, the Provost described it as one of the highest honours the College could confer on a distinguished individual whose contributions had made a positive impact on the institution and the wider society.
She noted that Senator Ekwunife’s recognition was particularly significant given her demonstrated commitment to education and her support for initiatives aimed at advancing the College.
Dr Ejezie thereafter presented the Fellowship Certificate to the distinguished Senator.
In her response, Iyom Chief Dr Uche Ekwunife emphasised the importance of investing in education, stressing that “investment in education is investment in the future.”
She noted that education and knowledge remained fundamental to nation-building, adding that investments in teaching, mentoring and the positive development of younger generations would continue to produce lasting benefits for society.
Senator Ekwunife stressed the need for continuous training and retraining of teachers to enable them to remain abreast of emerging technologies, contemporary pedagogical practices and the changing demands of the education sector.
She urged the College Management to give priority to staff development and pledged her support towards initiatives designed to enhance the professional capacity of members of staff.
The Senator also observed that the College required further improvement, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and the quality and capacity of its teaching workforce. She encouraged the Management to sustain its efforts towards implementing initiatives that would improve the academic environment and enhance the overall standard of the institution.
Speaking further, Senator Ekwunife described the Fellowship Award as a great honour which she would not take for granted.
Reflecting on her academic background, she recalled that her alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), had produced several distinguished Nigerians, including the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, former Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She also reflected on the legacy of the late former Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, noting that one of the enduring lessons she had learnt from such distinguished personalities was that to whom much is given, much is expected.
Senator Ekwunife expressed profound appreciation to the College Management for the honour and assured the institution of her continued support for initiatives aimed at strengthening education and improving the quality of teaching and learning.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the Senator to engage with the College Management on some of the critical challenges confronting the institution, with a view to exploring possible avenues for government intervention and support.
The College Management expressed optimism that the renewed engagement would further strengthen the relationship between the institution and the distinguished Senator, particularly in advancing the College’s academic, infrastructural and human-capital development.