“The federal government is building a Niger Delta that will not just be defined by oil and gas, but other human capital resources, Vice President,” Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said.
The Vice President said this at the first matriculation ceremony of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri South-West council area of Delta state on Saturday. The VP noted that that was part of the development plan mapped out in the New Vision of the Niger Delta (NVND).
Professor Osinbajo who was represented by his Special Assistant, Edobor Iyamu stressed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government was “serious” about the happenings in the oil-rich region, hence its embarking on several infrastructural development such as the flagship of the Ogoniland cleanup exercise in Rivers state, the construction of modular refineries, four of which are at varying levels of completion across the region, as well as the gas flare commercialization programme aimed at seeing to the end of gas flaring in the Niger Delta.
Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside emphasized the need for more funds to facilitate infrastructural development for the school. He said: “Work is going on at the permanent site in Okerenkoko. In addition, we are going to hold a number of engagements with the office of the vice president. All of us must work collaboratively to support the success of NMU. Again we need to inject more funds if we want this university to stand and take off on a solid note.”
Acting Governor of Delta state, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro while commending all stakeholders for ensuring the establishment of NMU, noted its fruition is a collective aspiration of the Gbaramatu kingdom and people of the Niger Delta. Vice Chancellor, Engr. Professor Maureen Etebu urged the students to strive for excellence.
She recalled the efforts made by various entities, including the Vice president and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to ensure the establishment of the learning citadel.
