The Arewa Youth Assembly, along with various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has declared support for the leadership of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
This is as the group condemned unwarranted attacks on the leadership of TETFUND, and its Executive Secretary Arc. Sonny Echono.
This was contained in a press statement released by the Publicity Secretary of Arewa Youth Assembly, Aliyu Muhammad, after a press conference in Abuja during the week.
Arewa noted that the conference was convened to counter the spread of unfounded accusations against Mr. Echono, which have circulated in certain media outlets, falsely alleging misconduct.
The leaders highlighted Echono’s significant achievements in his relatively brief tenure at the helm of the agency.
The group commended Mr. Echono for addressing the deterioration in all educational tiers, rejuvenating dilapidated facilities and infrastructure, invigorating the spirit of research and publication, enhancing the morale of educators, and fostering an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning.
The statement read partly: “We, the representatives of the aforementioned organisations, are here to discuss a critical issue that is at the heart of education and, consequently, the future of this country’s youth.
“We hereby extend a resounding vote of confidence to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and to Mr. Sunday Echono, whose leadership has yielded significant progress in a short span of time.”
“Mr. Echono’s diverse experience as both a technocrat and an architect, along with his ascension to the role of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, have equipped him well for his current role as the Executive Secretary of TETFund.
“His impact, particularly in the Northern regions of the country, has been profound. Education in the North has historically lagged, but under Mr. Echono’s leadership, there has been a remarkable shift. His contributions to educational enhancement in the North are undeniable.
“Thanks to these developments, our people are now actively engaging in research related to agriculture, climate change, and are pursuing higher education with greater fervour, facilitated by the ease of access to TETFund’s resources under Mr. Echono’s leadership.
“Fellow Nigerians, it is evident that Mr. Echono’s tenure as the TETFund Executive Secretary has resulted in nationwide progress. The strides he has made are unparalleled in TETFund’s history, and for the first time, the Fund is truly reflecting its core mission of optimizing the management of disbursed funds to institutions,” the spokesperson added.
“The youth also noted that TETFund’s commitment to enhancing research and education has led to strategic partnerships with prestigious organizations, such as the University of Brazil, and collaborations with the British government, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and the African Union. These partnerships have significantly bolstered tertiary education in Nigeria.
“To combat academic dishonesty, Mr. Echono endorsed the Anti-Plagiarism Test developed by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), addressing the surge in plagiarism cases within academia.
“In addition to launching new projects, Mr. Echono has revitalized long-abandoned projects, such as the National Library Headquarters Complex in Abuja, which has seen substantial financial investment.
“Under Mr. Echono’s watch, TETFund has eliminated the intermediary role of vendors in its academic and professional staff training programs, ensuring direct engagement for increased efficiency and transparency. The process of awarding contracts has become more transparent, visible, accessible, and compliant with the Public Procurement Act (2007).
“Mr. Echono leads TETFund with the highest levels of accountability and transparency. He is a unifying figure, committed to the fund’s mission, vision, and objectives,” the statement said.
