C’ttee Of PROs In Colleges Of Education Marks 28th Anniversary, Honours Stakeholders

The Committee of Public Relations and Information Officers in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (COPRECOEN), has celebrated its 28th anniversary with a call for stronger public relations strategies to boost students’ enrolment in colleges of education across the country.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, the National President of COPRECOEN, Comrade Dr. Chukwuebuka Obi, welcomed guests and described the anniversary as “a momentous occasion that marks nearly three decades of impactful work, growth, and success.”

The event took place at NCCE Conference Hall on the 1st of September, 2025. He paid tribute to the founding members of the association and lauded their contributions to projecting a positive image for colleges of education since its establishment in 1997.

Dr. Obi emphasised the theme, “Enhancing Students’ Enrolment in Colleges of Education Through Effective Public Relations Strategies and Programmes”, noting that dwindling enrolment remains a major challenge. “We stand as the bridge between our institutions and the public, ensuring that the narrative we share is truthful, impactful, and aligned with our mission of fostering academic excellence, innovation, and integrity,” he said.

He also called for greater support from provosts and stakeholders. “This painful reality calls for sober reflection, because while carrying out our jobs diligently, your enemies suddenly turn to our enemies. We therefore solicit sponsorships to our Annual General Meetings, proper placement in relevant committees, and support for the purchase of an official bus for the association,” Obi appealed.

In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, congratulated COPRECOEN and urged members to use their platforms to enlighten the public on the dual mandate policy. “The theme of this conference is timely at this time of transition. PROs have a lot to do to create awareness of what the Dual Mandate is all about, and this has a lot to do with its success,” Okwelle noted.

Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the Committee of Federal Provosts, Dr. Ali Adamu, applauded COPRECOEN’s commitment and pledged to mobilize support. “We shall ensure that provosts continue to sponsor and encourage their PROs to participate actively in the association’s programmes,” he assured.

Highlights included the presentation of meritorious awards to Professor Okwelle and selected provosts for outstanding leadership, infrastructural development, and commitment to staff and students’ welfare.

The event also featured a paper presentation by Dr. Peter Oyeneye, CEO of Management Academy, Abuja, who underscored the need for innovative public relations strategies as a pathway to improving enrolment and repositioning colleges of education for national development.