According to a report on Nigeria Tribune, the Federal Government has denied approvals on the location of the six (6) new Federal Colleges of Education recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, describing letters purportedly emanating from the Federal Ministry of Education and circulating on social media as fake.
The Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Ben Bem Goong, told Tribune Online on the telephone on Sunday that the Ministry was appalled by the fake letter purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono.
“I’m aware of the letter. The Permanent Secretary showed it to me on Friday. It is fake. We will do something about this before havoc emanates from it,” he said.
Social media was appalled on Sunday as two letter with Federal Ministry of Education letterhead surfaced online in Osun, both addressed to Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
The letters with the same signature carrying different approvals for the location of the new College of Education in the state.
Curiously, while one of the letters indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a College of Education to be located at Iwo in Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria.
The second letter said President Buhari has approved the establishment of a College of Education to be located at Ila Orangun, Ila local government of Osun State.
The two controversial letters dated 16th April 2020, all addressed to Osun State Governor entitled: “Approval of the Establishment of new College of Education in Osun State was purportedly signed by the Permanent Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono.
In apparent contradiction, paragraph two of the second approval letter carried Ila Orangun, Ila local government of Osun State as the location of the College of Education.
The Ministry of Education spokesperson, Mr Ben Goong when contacted denied that no such letter emanated from the Ministry, saying the Ministry would issue a statement on the new colleges soon.
A source at the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), ascribed possible political undertone to the confusion being created, saying the location of a public institution is usually a subject of controversy in some states.
“I’m not aware of such letters but the Federal Ministry of Education will resolve that. Citing Federal institutions is usually a subject of controversy. Maybe some people want it cited in their place,” the source who is not in a position to speak for the commission said. (Tribune)
