By Martin Nwoko
The Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri (FECOLART), on Friday 9th July 2021 held its 27th matriculation ceremony where over 200 new students were admitted into the various academic programmes for 2020/2021 academic session for both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma.
The College is one of the special colleges of Agriculture in Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the institution is directly supervised by the Federal Department of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services.
FECOLART was established to address the skilled middle level manpower requirement in the areas of land resources and environmental management, soil conservation, food security and climate change management services in the rain forest ecological region.
In his welcome address, the Provost of the college, Dr. Oluyemi Akande welcomed the matriculating students to the college stressing that the new students should count themselves lucky because they were admitted purely on merit from among many candidates who had applied for admission simply because the college does not compromise on merit. Dr. Akande urged the new students to allow the College to impact positively on them in becoming well-groomed and worthy graduates who will contribute to the growth and diversification of the Nigerian economy and the world in general.
Speaking further, the Provost warned the matriculants to shun all forms of social vices such as cultism, hooliganism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing etc maintaining that any student caught engaging in cult activities or any other anti-social behaviour will not only be expelled from the college but will also be made to face the full wrath of the law. The College is said to offer about eleven academic programmes fully accredited by NBTE.
Dr. Akande equally used the opportunity to thank his predecessors in the college who laid a solid foundation for the college over the years. He also applauded Hon. Jerry Alagboso, Hon.Kanayo Onyemechi, representing Owerri West State Constituency in the Imo House of Assembly and the traditional ruler of host community, HRH Eze Olu-Ikwu for facilitating the construction of access roads from Avu market to the college.
The Provost also used the occasion to applaud the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for his unprecedented wave of infrastructural developmental strides and appealed to the Governor to also extend his developmental searchlight to the college by completing the remaining part of the tarred road from the college to Avu market and as well tackle the flood menace along the major road along Avu town.
Highlights of the occasion was the administering of oath of allegiance by the Registrar of the College, Engr. Igbojionu Donatus, on the new students to be of good conduct by observing all the rules and regulations guiding the institution.
In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Provost Academics in FECOLAT, Dr. Jonah M., assured the new students to graduate at the stipulated time of their academic year stressing that the institution since inception have not witnessed any form of strike. He also urged the new students to take their studies serious in order to become millionaires and employer of labour.
