Governor Sheriff Oborovweri’s decision to relocate Faculty of Management Sciences of Delta State University of Science and Technology, DSUST, Ozoro to Orerokpe “is in tandem with existing “government policy” of providing easy access to education for all Deltans”.
National Coordinator of Niger Delta Grassroots Organization, NDGO, Comrade Weyinmi Olley, who spoke to newsmen in Warri, said Oborevwori’s action, very early in the tenure will enable him nurture the Orerokpe campus and others to maturity. He dismissed reasons for protests by some sections of the Isoko people as unfortunate.
“I know a lot of Isoko men and women who are broadminded and fair. I’m afraid Dr Enahoro Michael, Chief Ovouzourie Macaulay and P. O. Oju reportedly and erroneously presented the Isoko people as incapable of being their brothers’ keeper. If Okpe and Isoko are historically brothers of the same parent, as Dr Michael claimed, how is sharing what it has with Okpe dividing the two ethnic groups? How is relocation of faculties an invitation to ethnic crisis as reportedly claimed by Chief Ovouzourie Macaulay? Haba! Did Isoko see anything wrong in accepting Faculties of Law and Engineering from DELSU, Abraka years back? Did that kill any of the campuses? And why think of the University (DSUST) as the exclusive property of Isoko?”, Olley queried.
The NDGO National Coordinator further said: “Governor Oborevwori’s decision is in tandem with existing government policy of providing easy access to education for Deltans by previous Governors. Chief Felix Ibru ensured DELSU Abraka, only state university then was shared by all Senatorial zones (Abraka, Asaba and Oleh). Governor James Ibori executed the policy by establishing 3 polytechnics at Oghara, Ozoro and Ogwashi-Uku in the 3 Senatorial zones. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan followed the policy by establishing polytechnics at Abigborodo, Aboh and Bomadi that are yet to see light of day. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa followed the policy by siting, nay upgrading 3 institutions to Universities across the state to meet growing yearning by Deltans for university education”, he explained.
“What Oborevwori needs to do is to go the whole hog by ensuring that beside Orerokpe, he revives or upgrades the Abigborodo and Bomadi polytechnics to enable the riverine people whose huge oil resources support the wheel of governance to also breathe higher or University education from Delta, their own State”, Olley advised.
