The Lumine News

Tag: #Richard Utubakwu

  • BREAKING: FCE Obudu Governing Council Suspends Provost

    BREAKING: FCE Obudu Governing Council Suspends Provost

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The 8th Governing Council of the Federal College of Education Obudu, Cross River State, has suspended the Provost of the College, Dr. Richard Ugbaha Utubaku for maladministration and gross misconduct.

    In a letter made available to TheLumineNews and signed by Mr Evans O. Iyenya, Registra/Secretary of Council, with Ref No: FCE/OB/REG/CT-A/Vol.II/273, and captioned “LETTER OF SUSPENSION AND GENERAL INEFFICIENCY”. The Registrar noted that “I am directed to inform you that 8th Governing Council is in receipt of allegations and series of complaints against you from Deans of Schools, the three Unions in the College; COEASU, SUUCOEN, NASU and Director of Procurement for surreptitiously auctioning of college unserviceable cars and other irregularities vehicles. This is in violation of the White Paper of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the report of the visiting panel into the affairs of the College 2011-2015.

    “Consequently, the 8th Governing Council in its 5th Regular meeting directed that you proceed on a Three months suspension at the first instance with effect from 14th October, 2025 pending the conclusion of investigation.
    You are hereby directed to handover all college properties and official documents to the Deputy Provost.”

    It is alleged that the Provost has been having a running battle with the major unions in the College because of his style of administration, high-handedness, lack of transparency and insensitivity to staff welfare.

    The latest storm that is brewing in the College is the auctioning of about 15 College vehicles of various brands by the Provost to his cronies and family members without due process. A move that the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) describe as “Kangaroo Auctioning of College Property”

    Documents obtained indicate that COEASU has given the suspended Provost till Tuesday 14th October 2025 to return the vehicles or they’ll down tools.

  • Dr Richard Utubakwu Appointed Provost Federal College Of Education, Obudu

    FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
    P.M. B 1038
    OBUDU
    CROSS RIVER STATE
    March 3, 2022

    DR. UTUBAKU’S APPOINTMENT AS PROVOST
    President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has approved the appointment of Dr. Richard Ugbaha Utubaku as the new Provost of the Federal College of Education, Obudu, for a first term of four years, as conveyed by the Honourable Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu.

    The appointment is consequent upon competitive interview conducted for eighteen (18) applicants for the position among the thirty-five (35) that applied for the job in November, 2021.

    The Chairman Governing Council of the College Prof. Taoheed Adedoja on behalf of Council members has congratulated the new provost and looks forward to his visionary leadership of the College that was established since 1982.

    The Chairman had earlier sent similar congratulations to the new Bursar of the College Mr. Joseph Eba Ogar.

    The newly appointed Provost Dr. Richard Utubaku began his educational career in Roman Catholic Mission(RCM) Primary School Bebuabie, Obudu where he obtained the First School Leaving Certificate(FSLC) in 1979. Thereafter he was at Comprehensive Secondary School, Obudu between 1979 and 1985 where he passed the WAEC Examination in flying colours.

    He was at the Federal College of Education, Obudu where he was certified a teacher with the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1990 and then proceeded to the University of Calabar where he obtained a 2nd Class Upper Degree in Education Mathematics in 1992. As a true Nigerian, he served his NYSC at the Government Secondary School Wushishi in Niger State where he was the Corp Liason Officer.

    Dr. Utubaku returned to his Alma Mater, the University of Calabar for an M.Ed in Mathematics Education. At the University of Agriculture, Makurdi he crowned his Academic pursuit with a Ph.D in Mathematics Education in 2015.

    In 1993, the young Richard Utubaku got his first appointment as an Assistant Lecturer in the Mathematics Department of Federal College of Education, Obudu where he rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Lecturer in 2013, having served variously as HOD, Dean, Director and Chairman of several Committees.

    Dr. Richard Utubaku has to his credit several Conference papers, Journal articles Books and Book Chapters and has some textbooks to his credit.

    Dr. Richard Ugbaha Utubaku is the 1st Alumnus to become a Provost in almost 40 years of the College’s existence and hopes to reposition the College in line with its vision of enhancing academic and professional excellence in teacher education for Sustainable National Development.

    Dr. Utubaku is happily married and blessed with five (5) children.