Owerri — No fewer than 20,000 graduates of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), are to participate in the forthcoming 24th convocation ceremony of the institution slated to hold on Friday, 24th September, 2010.

Addressing newsmen in a press conference yesterday in Owerri, the Provost of the college, Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Ijioma, said the event is coming 15 years after the institution had her last convocation ceremony.

Ijioma explained that the inability of the institution to award certificates to her graduates since 1995, was as a result of the failure of her predecessors to accord the needed importance to convocations, which ordinarily should mark the end of a learning process of every graduate.

The provost disclosed that a week-long prgramme had been lined up for the event, which according to her, include church services, cultural exhibitions, lecture, stakeholders forum, alumni evening, galanite and a convocation proper.

She also disclosed that prominent Nigerians like the Senate President, David Mark, Imo State governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Chief Anayo Rochas Okorocha and few others would be honoured during the event.

The college, she continued, would also honour few of her alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen career. Those in this category are Nigerian Ambassador to Republic of Ireland , Dr. (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe, publisher of Source magazine, Dame Comfort Obi and Sen. Emma Anosike.