The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu,has inaugurated visitation panels for 25 Federal Polytechnics and 21 Colleges of Education.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry,Mr Sonny Echono, Adamu who inaugurated the panel on Monday in Abuja, charged the panels to adhere strictly to the terms of reference of their service
Adamu said the panel would cover a period of 10 years, between 2010 and 2020, within which two reports are expected to be presented covering 2010-2015 and 2016-2020.
He said each panel would have an academic, financial expert,as well as someone with knowledge of the law and other instruments including reviewing the performance of each institution assigned in the area of governance,academic standards, quality assurance, management of finances, the relationship between management and the staff.
Adamu stated that panels would determine the relationship between the institution, various statutory bodies according to its law of supervisions, planning,finance, guidance and discipline ,as well as look at the leadership qualities of the instructions in terms of the roles of the governing council, the head of institution and other principal officers.
According to the Minister, the panel would look into the financial management of the institutions over the recommended period, whether it was in accordance with the budget regulations adding that it would also investigate the application of funds particularly the special grants and loans made for specific projects, among others.
He urged the panels to conclude their tasks within 60 days.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission,Prof. Abubakar Rasheed urged members of the panels to justify their appointment for the task.
” From among thousands of names shortlisted,you have been selected for the conduct of the exercise in Nigeria’s Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.”he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairmen of the visitation panels, Chairman, Visitation Panel to Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State, Prof.Pat Obanya called on the government to do justice to the recommendations of the panel while assuring that the terms of reference under the given timeline would be respected..
