Taraba COE: Prof. Ejika takes charge as Dr. Dio bows out
Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Former Provost of College of Education, Mike Dio Jen has officially handed over to the newly appointed Provost of the college, Professor Samuel Ejika.
At a handover ceremony, held at Camp View Event Center, Mile six Jalingo, the Chairman, Governing Council of the Institution, Senator Ambuno Zik Sunday, stated that about 26 highly qualified persons jostled for the job out of which Professor Ejika emerged the favoured Candidate.
He stated that the board had screened the 26 candidates and brought out 16 persons who were subjected to an intensive three days interview and three persons emerged. Accordingly, the three names he said, were submitted to the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku who approved Ejika out of the three, as the new Provost of the college.
While congratulating Prof. Ejika, Senator Ambuno advised him to be a leader and not a ruler. He charged him to run an all inclusive government, be good to all manner of persons irrespective of gender, tribe or religion and to cooperate with the management and principal officers of the institution to prevent enemies from breading misunderstandings that would bring him and the institution down.
The chairman further applauded the meritorious services of the out going Provost, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, describing him as a humble, dedicated and visionary leader who had worked assiduously to stabilized the institution in all facets.
While congratulating him for clinching the PDP ticket for the seat of the House of Assembly Member representing Karim Lamido1 Constituency of Taraba State, Ambassador Ambuno regretted that the institution would miss a great leader of repute but concluded that they had found solace in the fact that another capable hand had replaced him.
He Called on the people of the constituency to give Dr Mike Dio maximum support to succeed in the election, assuring them that they would never regret giving him the mandate to serve them in such capacity
Speaking prophetically, the chairman expressed confidence that the Taraba State College of Education Zing, would soon grow up to become University of Education Zing, considering the fact that the institution had now become one of the fastest growing institutions in the North Eastern Region of Nigeria.
In his farewell speech, the outgoing Provost, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, appreciated the support of the Executive Governor of Taraba State Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku to the institution, maintaining that if not for the governor, he would not have succeeded owing to the mirage of challenges he faced at the institution during his tenure.
He equally commended the support of his wife, stakeholders, management and Principal Officers of the institution whom he said had stand gallantly behind him to succeed through out the nine (9) years he served as the head of the institution and encouraged them to extend same act of loyalty and support to his successor to enable him consolidate on his efforts of uplifting the institution to an enviable height.
Dr. Dio appealed to the Candidates who jostled for the position of the Provost with Prof. Ejika to join hands with him now that the process was over, to build the institution and wait for another time, adding that there could be only one Provost of a college at a time.
He encouraged his successor, Prof. Ejika, to run an open door Administration devoid of sentiment and preferential treatment and to ensure that he works hand in hand with the Management, Governing Council and Principal Officers as well as all other staff of the institution so that their unity would trigger tremendous progress of the institution as was the case during his administration.
While addressing the mammoth crowd that turned up to witness the occasion of the handover, Prof. Ejika Sambo pledged that he would work hand in hand with his predecessor, the college governing board, Management and principal staff members as well as all other workers at the institution to consolidate on the effort of his predecessor.
He appreciated Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for picking him out of the three names that were submitted to him for his approval, pledging that he would not take the rare opportunity for granted.
“I appreciate you all and I want to assure you that I will carry every body along irrespective of their backgrounds. I will build on the achievements of my successor as I work harmoniously with all manner of persons at the institution to lift it to its greatest height”. Prof. Ejika added.
