Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the introduction of degree programmes at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe.
He described the move as a significant step towards strengthening the institution’s role in training skilled professionals for national development.
Gov. Yahaya made the remarks, while receiving the governing council and management of the college at the Government House, Gombe.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s greatest asset is its youthful population, and stressed the need for quality education to equip young people with the necessary skills for economic and technological advancement.
“We have the numbers, about 65 percent of our population are youths under the age of 30. If given the necessary training and empowerment, they will develop the country and reduce our reliance on foreign nations for skilled labour,” the governor stated.
He urged the management of the institution to design degree programmes, that align with Nigeria’s industrial and technological needs.
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Also, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting higher education, citing the establishment of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the Gombe State University, and the ongoing collaboration with Michigan University to establish a faculty of agriculture.
“We are ready to support the college and give it the necessary push to improve and expand its impact,” he assured.
Gov. Yahaya highlighted his administration’s ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, particularly in addressing gully erosion, which has affected various communities in Gombe metropolis, including the college.
Chairman of the governing council, Dr. Lazarus Gaza, praised Governor Yahaya’s commitment to education, and his continued support for federal institutions in the state.
“The purpose of our visit is to strengthen our collaborative partnership with the host community for mutual and reciprocal benefits for the college, the government, and all stakeholders,” Dr. Gaza said.
He announced that FCE (T), Gombe had successfully integrated skill and vocational training into its curriculum to promote self-reliance among students.
“We are now set to start offering degree programmes without any affiliation with any university or institute of learning, and this will further strengthen our capacity,” he added.
