BY CONCERNED STUDENTS’ LEADERS OF FCE PANKSHIN


It is a popular saying that ‘the reward of hard work is more work’ this is exactly why we have to write this piece to call on the Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Education, National Council of Colleges of Education Commission (NCCE) and all relevant stakeholders in educational sector to deeply consider the reappointment of  Dr. Amos Bulus Cirfat as Provost of Federal College of Education Pankshin for a second and final tenure as provided by the edict establishing the institution. We are aware that some disgruntled elements using fake titles and names have gone out on social media to challenge the rationale for the possible return of Dr. AB Cirfat as the Provost of the College but were very short of facts to drive home any reasonable point.

As concerned students’ leaders of Federal College of Education, Pankshin, we will encourage the Provost Dr. AB Cirfat not to lose any sleep and urge him not to dignify the falsehood peddlers with any response. If they needed to make any point besides lies, they would have come out clean and clear with their names and issues clearly stated. For the avoidance of doubt and the fear of getting gullible concern persons confused, we wish to state categorically clear that Dr AB Cirfat is one of the Provosts that has earned the unflinching support of Staff, Students and the entire Federal College of Education, Pankshin Community hence the anger by the desperate seekers of power and Provost’s office to find any medium possible for blackmailing him. One wonders how they would have written their propaganda if the College Management was not with the Provost, the Unions on strike and Students’ Associations not competing to give the Provost merit Awards. We pitied greatly people who are jostling to take over powers through blackmails resorting into raining abuses on the College Management, various Union leaders and students who acknowledge and appreciate Dr. Cirfat performance through Awards. In fact, they further exposed their ignorant and desperation when trying to raise false issues of financial misappropriation by saying; “… the most bizarre of these realities are now emanating reports of internal financial dealings where some members of staff claim to have been defrauded of their committee entitlements, after services were duly rendered, only to later learn from the Bursary unit that such funds were fully paid to the Chairman of such Committee, Dr A.B. Cirfat (the Provost)”. Two things are very clear in favor of the Provost from this quote; firstly, that the Provost is very prudent in managing finances that the lies crafted to blackmail him on financial aspect has to do with chopping committees’ entitlements.

It is very ridiculous that the Provost who appoints members of Committees will turn to be the Chairman of committees and go to Bursary to collect the entitlements of Committee members. Secondly, any reasonable person who knows how committees work in the College will further confirm the desperation of the personalities behind the sponsored publication. Committees in the College are given very meager stipends for meals only. Our consolation is that all the Provosts that have been formally appointed into the College has suffered blackmails and yet secured two uninterrupted tenures (God at work!). Desperation has never given any one opportunity to lead especially when one wants to assume power through baseless allegations. We also believe that God is the giver of power and he gives it to whoever He so wishes. If these disgruntled elements were so concern about the welfare of the College staff and Students including 2015 results issues, why didn’t they confront the Provost or the public with the issues earlier but waited for this long?

Ours is to tell our readers that as against the evil work of desperadoes, Dr. Amos Bulus Cirfat deserved a second tenure based on his uncommon achievements and prudent management of the College.

Those of us who are conversant with the history of the College and have seen closely the administration of the College will testify that the coming of Dr. AB Cirfat has brought back peace and tranquility in the College and by extension the entire Pankshin Community.

First Appointment of Dr. AB Cirfat as Provost
Dr. AB Cirfat took over the administration of the College in January 2017 as the first internally appointed substantive Provost of the College. A record that the College staff and Community failed to break largely due to internal hatred and wrangling against each other hence it used to be more convenient for Government to appoint a person from outside the College. But since God is the only ruler in the affairs of men, despite petitions, abuses and blackmails, God through the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of  Dr. AB Cirfat as Provost. On his arrival in the College which was largely celebrated by staff, students and the entire Pankshin Community, the Provost swung into effort to reconcile the members of the community and ensure that everyone gets back to work with zeal and commitment.
Dr. Cirfat met the College that has suffered from months of strike actions by Unions, academic activities at a standstill, no students’ admission, none release of students result, no final year students’ results for both NCE and Degree students and no NYSC mobilization for Students of the College.  The College environment was also not befitting and most projects were at standstill due to one form of challenges or the other. The morals of staff and students were very low. The coming of Dr. Cirfat rekindled hope in both staff and students.

How Dr. AB Cirfat Managed and Got Out of the Challenges.
Knowing that his appointment was divine and made for a purpose, on arrival Dr. Cirfat addressed the Management and encouraged them to give full support to the administration as no advice will be neglected. He quickly reassured the staff and students at different fora on his open-door policy style of leadership. 

Dr. Amos Bulus Cirfat Record after Three Years:
The truth about a person or issue regarding a person cannot be hidden or suppressed no matter the hate or desperation of the person’s opponents. The Provost Dr. AB Cirfat through support from the Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students has been able to move the College to the next level with prudent management of resources. The administration was able to;

Manage the challenges of Staff Welfare and academic Records
Anybody conversant with Federal College of Education, Pankshin knows that the Staff through the various unions don’t pretend and cannot be cowed on any of their pressing needs, demand or interest and they will not waste time to down tools at any time. This disposition of the staff and unions informed the various long period of strike actions the College had suffered prior to the appointment of Dr. Cirfat which largely tempered with academic calendar, examinations, admissions, released of result and mobilization of degree graduate for NYSC.  With the coming of Dr. AB Cirfat, strike actions have become things of the pass.  Dr. Cirfat and Management team has successfully interfaced with the staff and ensured that issues that are likely to generate disputes are discussed and resolved before hand. Today the issues of result are not just being handled but various soft wares have been developed for prompt handling of students results.  The Undergraduate School of the College has a team of hardworking and committed staff who ensures that the affiliate University of Jos get students results in good time for mobilization for NYSC.

Managing Students Welfare.
The students of the College through the Union Government with the influence of various students’ Associations had their challenges prior to Dr. Cirfat’s appointment, ranging from concerns and loses during strike actions, dwindling electricity supply, poor learning facilities, dilapidated students’ hostels, late release of students results, obstructions of examinations due to strikes, class clash due to lack of classes and halls, lack of exams booklets and others. With the coming of Dr. AB Cirfat, no single student program has been obstructed. Individual students and Students’ Union members are given direct access to the Chief Executive to share their concerns, observations and opinions. There is constant light at night due to constant maintenances and fueling of generators, close relationship with Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) to show understanding with the institution as a learning environment. Hostels are promptly renovated at slightest damage, internet facilities are provided for the students, more facilities have been constructed for staff offices and students’ classes, more learning equipment purchased and of course no strike actions to obstruct learning.
It is on record that a group of NCE III students in 2018 surprised the College Community and Management by marching with drums beating and chanting to the Administrative block to thank the Provost Dr. Cirfat and management for successful completion of their 3 years NCE Program uninterruptedly as it has always been the case.

Infrastructural Development in the College
Under the leadership of Dr. AB Cirfat, the College as never before has gotten very good attention of TETFund and other affiliate Government agencies and in fact individuals. There is nothing that goodwill cannot attract. Many Schools and Department of the College operating at temporary sites have been moved to their permanent sites. Modern equipment purchased for various Schools and Departments, old structures renovated and remodeled. Computers, boreholes and vehicles donated by National Communication Commissions, Governor of Plateau State Rt Hon.Simon  Lalong and Senator Jeremiah Useni respectively.  A visit to the College will convinced the worst opponents of Dr. Cirfat who has taste for truth that three years has changed the face of the College. Another tenure for Dr. Cirfat will mean more growth and development for the College.

Dr AB Cirfat is a Man of Sterling Leadership Quality and Experience
Integrity and character are not a day collection, it is inbuilt with years of commitment while experience is gathered gradually hence cannot be purchased with money no matter how rich your opponents might be. Dr. AB Cirfat is sound in character, highly experienced technocrat and administrator.  He has spent over 30 years as a teacher and has served excellently, diligently and transparently with records to show. Any person who will take or listen to a cheap blackmailer without looking back at the personality of  Dr. A.B. Cirfat and his antecedents is not worthy of his name. As a science teacher, Dr. Cirfat has served at different positions of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria-STAN to the highest level as President of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria and left a landmark achievement in those offices. Today science teachers celebrate him as one of their own.  Dr. Cirfat was also a strong member of the College Committee that facilitated the introduction of Degree Program in Federal College of Education Pankshin under the Provostship of Professor Ibrahim Bulus of blessed memory. The Committee travelled far and near to ensure that no stone is left unturned in getting approval for degree program for the College.  No wonder, God gave him the exalted position of the Provost of the College to continue with the good work he started during Late Prof Ibrahim Bulus. Dr A.B Cirfat has served as Head of Department, Dean and Deputy Provost of the College at different times. His records are there! He is consulted by most of his colleagues and students whenever any serious decision is to be taken in the College. As Dean Students Affairs, the students mostly prefer dealing with him much more closely than their Union leaders. He is a man with a very kind heart for the youth and students. No wonder when he was appointed Provost, the Students and youth occupied the whole place with drums of celebrations as if he was one king returning to his kingdom. The young people understand well that one of their own has been lifted for their interest. All the events are supported with pictures and videos.
No wonders, within the three years period of his stay in office, he has received many awards of excellence from different students and youth organizations. The height of it was the Award to the Provost as the Best Provost of Colleges of Education in 2019. He has received on courtesy calls different students Union leaders, Past SUG Presidents of the College, NANS President and Exco, NAPSS President and Exco, Plateau Youth Council Chairman and Exco, top religious and political leaders, the Right Honorable Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Principal Officers and Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly. His Students who are occupying political offices have always visited him to assure him of their trust, love and support. He that the living God has blessed who can curse?

What about his religion affiliations? Dr Cirfat is a committed Christian leader, served the church and Christian Community in various capacities of trust. Balance in reasoning and action. A leader who had the entire College Muslims community visiting him to acknowledge and appreciate his balanced type of leadership which has given them freedom to worship and feeling very save and homely.

His Relationship with Supervisory Bodies and Colleagues in other Tertiary Institutions
The Provost Dr. AB Cirfat has established and sustained a very cordial working relationship with the various supervisory Ministries, Department and Agencies. He has also related well with the College Governing Council, his Provost colleagues which gave the Committee of Provost the confidence to entrust him with the Secretary of Committee of Provost in Nigeria.  He liaises with the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Federal Ministry of Education and other supervisory bodies on behalf of not only Federal College of Education, Pankshin but most times even for other Colleges of Education in Nigeria. If you have reason to meet with the Provost in the Ministry of Education, NCCE, TETFund and most of the education related Ministries, Departments and Agencies, you will appreciate the kind of Provost God gave Federal College of Education, Pankshin except you don’t love Federal College of Education, Pankshin. He is always well received, given prompt attention with respect and diligence, his humility has earned him more respect from both his superiors and subordinates.

Challenges and Expectations from the Provost in the Second Tenure
We understand that it has been the desire of the Provost to have the College perimeter fully fenced. This is yet to be achieved, given another opportunity, he will ensure that the College premises is provided with more security by fencing the entire land mass.
The desire of the Provost to lobby and ensure the upgrade of the College to a University of Education is still burning and alive. When upgraded, there will be no affiliation issues leading to certificate problems or delays.  More lecturers will become Professors and more employment opportunity and admission space with more infrastructural development. We support the second tenure for Dr. Cirfat to achieve this for the College.

The need for a more permanent solar light solution to solve electricity problem. At the moment the College spent a lot on running the many power generators. With modern solar solution, the students and researchers will have 247 light for research and studies.
May God touch the heart of the President, Governing Council of the College, Federal Ministry of Education, NCCE, concern stakeholders and lovers of FCE Pankshin to support and follow up on the second tenure of the Provost. We cannot afford to go back to the dark days of strikes actions, in house wrangling, students’ demonstrations and religious disharmony within the College. We want to finish our studies within calendar year required.
Those who think that blackmailing or putting off the light of others will make theirs brighter will surely be exposed and disappointed by God grace. God almighty who is the giver of power and wisdom will surely do His will.

Signed:
Comrade Paul Peter Tenti Director of Campus Intervention and Logistics, NANS, For and on behalf of other Concerned Students of FCE Pankshin. 9th July, 2020.