From Yusuf Mairiga Shekarau, Jos
The Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has graced the 28th-33rd combined convocation of Plateau State College of Education, Gindiri which held Friday, at Permanent Campus, Gindiri district of Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
Lalong who was a visitor to the College said “I consider this convocation ceremony very significant and long overdue, because many graduands who successfully completed their studies some years ago have been anxiously looking forward to this day. He congratulated all stakeholders and urged them to relish the moment which validates the long hours of learning and research They invested, hoping that subsequent convocations would not be delayed.
A statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Mukut Simon Macham and made available to journalists Saturday in Jos quoted the governor as saying “College of Education Gindiri is one Institution that our Rescue Administration considered very crucial. This is because it is saddled with the huge task of training teachers who are to shape and mould the minds of our children.”
He said “should the students fail to get the right quality of education, then they may not only pose serious danger to the younger generation, but eventually put the whole society in jeopardy by transferring half-knowledge and corrupted ideas.”
Lalong asked the students not to see the certificates they have received on the convocation day as the end of learning, instead, consider it as the stepping-stone to seek further knowledge by upgrading qualifications in order to remain relevant in the profession, and indeed contribute to a fast changing society.
The Governor pledged that his Rescue Administration will continue to provide training opportunities for teachers at all levels and also grant study leave and grants for teachers to undertake further studies in various higher institutions across the globe.