By Admin 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Prof. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa, has assured that the Federal Government is actively addressing low enrollment in Colleges of Education across the country. She also called on journalists to embrace responsible reporting to prevent misinformation.
Prof. Anene-Okeakwa made the remarks during an interactive session with journalists who visited the institution following reports on some online platforms claiming that lecturers outnumber students at the college.
Describing the report as misleading, she expressed disappointment that the author failed to conduct proper research before making such claims.
While acknowledging that enrollment in Colleges of Education has declined, especially in Southern Nigeria, the Provost dismissed the allegations of lecturers outnumbering students at FCE (Technical), Asaba.
“The Federal Government is already tackling the issue through initiatives like the dual-mode system, which allows us to run both NCE and degree programs. This has significantly boosted student enrollment,” she stated.
Prof. Anene-Okeakwa also decried the growing belief among Nigerian youths that “education is a scam,” warning that such misconceptions are dangerous.
“Education remains the foundation of success in any field. I urge young people to embrace learning as a pathway to a better future,” she advised.
She further called on wealthy individuals and politicians to support education by sponsoring students from rural areas as part of their constituency projects. According to her, the college has modern facilities and sufficient hostel accommodations to cater to students at all levels.
The Provost urged media practitioners to verify their reports before publication, commending the visiting journalists for seeking facts instead of relying on hearsay.
“I appreciate your effort in fact-checking. The media plays a crucial role in nation-building, and I encourage you to promote narratives that support educational growth,” she added.
Following a tour of completed and ongoing projects at the institution, the journalists lauded Prof. Anene-Okeakwa for the transformation witnessed under her leadership and encouraged her to remain steadfast despite unfounded criticisms.