President Buhari Orders April 1st Take-Off, Of Maritime Varsity  

…pro-chancellor tasks stakeholders on making institution world class

…Gbaramatu monarch pledges support and loyalty

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has asked me to tell you that the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko has come to stay. We have come; we have looked at the facilities available; the university is taking off unfailingly on the 1st of April 2018.”- Chief Timipre Slyva

The Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, on Wednesday, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari, have approved the take-off of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, on April 1, 2018.

Silva, therefore said that all stakeholders involved in the project, need to be involved to ensure that it becomes a world class maritime university, whose graduates would be internationally recognized and accepted in the industry.

He made this remark in his presentation, during a courtesy visit of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Maritime University, to His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II (Aketekpe, Agadagba), the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, at his palace in Oporoza town, headquarters of the kingdom.

In his words, “Because the university is a corporate citizen of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, therefore we have now become citizens of Gbaramatu Kingdom. We are very aware of the enormous responsibility; we cannot achieve anything in that university without the cooperation of your community.

“We need to bring all the stakeholders together, so that we can develop a world class university, because if our graduates are not internationally accepted, then they cannot function in the maritime industry.

”We need to cooperate to ensure that our university, becomes the best of its kind, in Africa.”

Chief Sylva who led the members of the governing council, said all is now set for the university to kick off, as he emphasized on the benefits of the maritime university, noting that the terrain of the Niger Delta is not a curse but a blessing.

“I have come here before; I have encountered the rich culture of our people. This university will bring a lot of people from around the world, and of course when they come, they will not only end  at the campus; they will like to see the culture of our people. That is how this university will expose this community.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has asked me to tell you that the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko has come to stay. We have come; we have looked at the facilities available; the university is taking off unfailingly on the 1st of April 2018.”

His Royal Majesty, while accepting the visiting team, advised them to acquire the best equipment and personnel in order to achieve a unique product.

”He also asked them not to be shy in seeking his counsel, and that the institution should not be viewed as a place that provides passengers, but drivers of the industry, hence they should strive to lay a solid foundation by adhering to the guidelines established in the industry.

Members of the Governing Council present during the visit are; Chief Timipre Sylva, Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko; Prof. David A. Adebayo; Gandi Umar Mulid; Hon (Barr) Ijeoma Igboanusi; Hon. Farouk Mustapha;  Prof. (Mrs) Etebu, Vice Chancellor; N. E. L. Anho, Registrar; Alhaji Bakari Hassan, Bursar; and Dr. Baba Aduku, Librarian.

By Abai Francis