Ijaw Youths from the Nine States of the Niger Delta region have sent a letter to the Federal Government on the need for the quick take-off of academic activities in the Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta State.
According to the Ijaw Youths, the the immediate take-off of academic activities in the Maritime Institution will promote further confidence in the FG’s plan for the region and sustain the fragile peace in the Niger Delta region.
The Ijaw Youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, in a statement issued today by the President, Comrade Eric Omare, the federal government should act fast in directing the immediate take-off of academic activities in the interest of sustaining the fragile peace in the Niger Delta region.
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According to the Statement, ” It would be recalled that during the visit of Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo to Oporoza, Delta State, he did promise that the Maritime University, Okerenkoko was a done deal. It was the expectation of the Ijaw and Niger Delta people, that with this promise, academic activities would start in the 2017/2018 academic session.”
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“However since then, there has been no effort towards academic activities kicking-off in the next academic session. In the contrary, there have been insinuations of powerful forces within the Buhari administration working to stall the take-off of academic activities and relocation of the Dockyard at Okerenkoko which is meant to serve practical purposes for the university to another community far away from Okerenkoko.”
“This insinuation has generated apprehension in the mind of our people and thereby eroding the confidence building process embarked upon by Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo.”
“The IYC as critical stakeholders and contributors to the relative peace existing in the Niger Delta region therefore calls on the federal government to as a matter of urgency direct the already existing Governing Council of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State to take steps to start academic activities with immediate effect in the interest of peace and security of the Niger Delta region”
“The fact that the law seeking to set up the university has not been passed by the national assembly is not an excuse as there are several universities existing in Nigeria without enabling law.”
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