Vanguard newspaper has named the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sunday Echono as its Education Icon for 2024.
The newspaper said that it conferred the award on Echono for his sterling performance at federal agency since he assumed office as Executive Secretary in 2022.
According to the Vanguard, ‘Sunday Echona0o has brought a new wave of transformation to the organisation. With his wealth of experience in the civil service, Echono has been able to steer the organization towards achieving its mandate of providing supplementary support to public tertiary institutions in Nigeria’.
In a statement announcing the award, the newspaper further said: ‘Under Echono’s leadership, TETFund has recorded significant milestones in the areas of physical infrastructure, research and development, academic staff training and development, and library development. For instance the organisation has funded 5,525 physical infrastructural projects, 188 equipment fabrications, and provision of 576 Faculty/Departmental libraries in tertiary institutions across the country.
‘In addition, TETFund has completed 13 Senate buildings and 19 library buildings in beneficiary institutions. The organisation has also commissioned 74 projects in various institutions across the country. These projects have been commissioned by top government officials, including the President, who intervened in the provision of modern laboratory equipment for Urology. Endourology. and Cancer Centres in six University Teaching Hospitals across the six geo-political zones of the country. This intervention is expected to cutb medical tourism and the attendant capital flight.
‘In the area of research and development, TETFund has achieved significant strides under Echono’s leadership. The organisation has sponsored 270 research projects worth over N5.7 billion in 2022, and 185 research projects worth over N5.1 billion in 2023. TETFund has also established three additional Centres of Excellence, bringing the total to 27.
‘Echono’s leadership has also seen TETFund prioritise academic stall training and development. The organisation has sponsored 23,271 academic staff for Ph.D. programmes, with 4,598 sponsored to foreign institutions. TETFund has also sponsored 15,977 academic staff for Master’s degree programmes.
‘Furthermore, Echono has overseen the development of the Tertiary Education Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform, a digital services application designed to enhance the performance of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
‘Echono’s achievements at TETFund are a testament to his leadership skills and commitment to excellence. His experience in the civil service, combined with his passion for education, has enabled him to steer TETFund towards achieving its mandate.
‘As TETFund continues to play a critical role in the development of tertiary education in Nigeria, Echono’ leadership will be crucial in shaping the organisation’s future. With his vision and commitment to excellence.
‘TETFund is poised to achieve even greater heights under his leadership’.
The Executive Secretary, who is well decorated with local, national and international awards, including Nigeria’s national honour of Officer of the Order of Niger, will be decorated at a ceremony to be announced later.
