College education would have suffered terribly without TETFund-COEASU President

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has described the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as the lifeblood of the Colleges and other public tertiary institutions in the country.

President of COEASU Dr. In particular, Smart Olugbeko, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, noted that public colleges would have suffered terribly without TETFund’s intervention.

He said, “TETFund has remained the only aid to unfettered development in our public tertiary institutions providing strategic infrastructure, robust workforce development and an unparalleled research culture.”

Olugbeko stressed that TETFund and its current management deserve accolades, not slander, but said the union received the news with dismay and concern that certain individuals and groups are conspiring to disrupt TETFund’s activities and defame its leadership.

He said: “It defies all sensibilities that someone anywhere could be so mean as to tarnish the image of the Fund and its management, especially the Executive Secretary (ES), Arc. Despite TETFund’s tremendous progress and impactful efforts, Sonny Echono should receive unending accolades from beneficiaries and stakeholders.

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“We condemn such an evil mission in the strongest terms and declare that the evil machinations of opponents will fail!

“We are impressed and pleased with the recent reforms and innovations introduced by TETFund’s management under the leadership of Arc. Sonny Echono towards more impact and more efficient services.

“Under the current Executive Secretary, the Fund has not only preserved the great legacies of previous governments, but has surpassed and significantly improved them through progressive innovations and transparent commitment to due process.

“Our union and other like-minded stakeholders hold TETFund in the highest regard and are a firsthand witness to TETFund’s fair and diligent adherence to established regulations in carrying out its mandate to beneficiary institutions,” Olugbeko stated.

He further noted that TETFund is a product of union agitation; therefore, all unions of the academic staff in tertiary institutions closely monitor activities and are in constant interaction with the leadership of the Fund.

“We boldly say that TETFund is one of the few government agencies in Nigeria diligently carrying out their mandate.

“Colleges of Education have benefited enormously from the Fund’s activities; our colleges would have suffered terribly without TETFund’s intervention.

“Stakeholders such as Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) who rate the fund highly for performance and integrity far outnumber ungrateful enemies of progress,” he said.

So he encouraged the Fund and its leaders to stay focused and not be deterred by a smear campaign from those expecting undeserved support.

“We urge all government authorities and the entire public not to be swayed by such smearing and malicious petitions against an agency that is doing very well, as such acrimonious campaigns stem from not getting their way for personal gain against the rules. ” he said.