DR. BAZA EMERGES NEW COEASU NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Dr Baza emergence marked the tnd of the four-year tenure of Dr Smart Olugbeko.
Until his elevation Dr Baza was the COEAAU general secretary and before then, he was the union's national public relations officer.
Dr Baza is a senior lecturer at the federal college of education, Zuba, federal capital territory, Abuja.
In his inaugural speech he commended the National Commission for colleges of education for their support.
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profound gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility that |
Stand before you as President of our great Union, the Colleges of Education Academic
Union(COEASU).
Today marks a defining moment not just in my personal journey, but in the collective
struggle of all academic staff in the College of Education subsector.
This moment is a testament to the trust that you reposed in me and the entire National Officers' Council to steer the ship of our Union for the next four years, by the grace of the Almighty God.
It is with utmost humility,
sh to begin by expressing My utmost gratitude to the Almighty God for life, health, anq
eciation goes to our outgoing National Officers’ Council, ably led by Olugbeko, for the tireless efforts in defending the rights of our acting the relevance of Colleges of Education in Nigeria's my colleagues across chapters and zones for the in their election. Your trustworthy guidance. My profound appr
our smart president, Dr. Smart, improving welfare, and project
| equally than
f the current NOC, as evident member of the
educational landscape.
confidence they have in the members shall not be taken for granted.
the welfare of our members, to advance the
education, and to build a stronger, more united COEASU. We shall, therefore,
d relevant agencies to ensure the full implementation of the
f ours can be achieved, the FGN-COEASU 2010
ur members are honoured as :
The mandate you have given us is clear; to prote
cause of teacher-
continue to engage government an
basic instrument with which these aspirations oO
Agreement. We shall also ensure that rights and privileges of o
appropriate.
We shall strengthen our advo
adequate funding, infrastructural development, and improved conditions for te
cacy for the repositioning of Colleges of Education, ensuring
aching practice
and demonstration schools.
Historically
Distinguished colleagues and guests, the implementation of the Dual Mandate marie
nes bran at samme of Colleges of Education in Nigeria. It restores to our institution autonomy to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Educatio”
standards. This reform is ae sensi = marie aligning teacher-education with
just a policy shift, it is a validation of the competence, capacity, and credibility of our Colleges and tal staff".
In his valedictory speech, Dr, Smart Olugbeko appreciated the new president for his support as General Secretary and wished him well. He offered scholarships to six students from across six geopolitical zones and gave awards to reputable Nigerians
Other speakers at the event are Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, former governors of Bauchi state, who was chairman of the occasion called for increased investment in education, especially teacher education.
The guest lecturer, professor Jamila Shu'ara, told COEASU to be intentional in supporting positive changes in teacher training and development.
Minister of education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, represented by a Director, Iyabo Ali commended COEASU for its commitment to teacher development..."It is indeed a pleasure to join you today at the COEASU 2025 World Teachers’ Day
Celebration and Inauguration of New National Officers Council as we celebrate our
teachers, the men and women whose daily dedication sustains the wheel of our education system.
This year’s theme, "Teachers. Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future,” is both a tribute and a challenge. It reminds us that teachers are not just transmitters of knowledge, but the custodians of stability and the architects of change.
Teachers have remained leaders and unsung heroes in our nation’s history and ensure that our children
are equipped to build a more hopeful future.
2. For us at the Federal Ministry of Education, every opportunity to celebrate teacners
is deeply meaningful and sacred because teachers are at the heart of what we do as a Ministry. This is why we are driving a clear agenda to reposition the teaching profession and restore the dignity of teachers. Our focus among others are to professionalise, empower, and reward teacher. We are strengthening the entire teacher development
pipeline, from Pre-service Teacher Training, to Continuous Professional Development, improved welfare and career progression across all levels. AS you are very much aware,
we are expanding pathways for teacher qualification through the Dual-Mandate in
Colleges of Education which enables the Colleges of Education to offer degree
programmes alongside the NCE. This initiative is intended to transform the landscape o
teacher preparation, ensuring that our educators are both competent and confident to
deliver the curriculum of tomorrow at the same time providing potent solutions to the
challenge of dwindling enrolment in Colleges of Education.
3. We have equally intensified efforts to professionalise the teaching profession
through the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), which is being repositioned
to enforce national standards of practice. We want to ensure that every child in a Nigerian
classroom is being taught by a qualified, registered and supported teacher.
"Let me take a moment to commend COEASU for its steady and me aioe “
the Ministry and with government. You have pursued dialogue and re odor Tarowal patience, avoiding disruptive actions that could derail the academic ca ee aad
constructive advocacy, you have advanced the interests of oe vue ar strengthened the Colleges of Education subsector. encourage a
spirit, firm in your convictions, but always guided by partnership and shared purpose.
4. Today's event is not only a celebration of teachers, but also the Sees a
new National Officers Council which is vital for the stability and continuity worthwhile union. To the outgoing executives, I say congratulations because ue a
leadership, COEASU was a key player in the advancement of the Colleges of Ec °
sub-sector which witnessed transformative reforms and a stable academic mien ar. I
thank you for your passion and dedication to service and I wish you well in your future
endeavours.
Ds To the incoming executives, as you take up the mantle of leadership, I urge you
to learn from the experiences of those before you, build on their strengths, improve where
there were gaps, and approach your duties with dedication and integrity. Let your tenure
be one that adds value to the union and to the Colleges of Education sub-sector, so that
by the time you hand over, may you also look back with pride and say that you left the
system better than you met it. The Ministry will always be ready for constructive
engagement and collaboration with you on issues that advances quality education and
national development.
6. In closing, I charge you all today as we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, let us
remember that the strength of our nation rests on the strength of its teachers. Together,
we must continue to lead with courage, to teach with conviction and to reimagine the
future of education in Nigeria.
7. Congratulations once again to COEASU and to all teachers whose work
lights the path of our national progress.
