- Hands Over Land To FG For Medical, Health Sciences Varsity In Kwale
By Sunday Egede
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, said the establishment of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE) Research Centre at Isiokolo, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state reflects the desire and goals of his administration for meaningful development in line with his M.O.R.E Agenda. Governor Oborevwori said this when he received on courtesy visit, the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, HRM Michael Omeru, Ogurimerime, Ukori I, as well as Agbon Chiefs and principal officers of FUPRE at Government House, Asaba.
The Governor commended Agbon kingdom for donating 123.2 hectares of land to the university, while underscoring the importance of effective formal education to the well-being of citizens.
While presenting the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the land to the university’s management, the Governor said the C of O was issued at no cost, noting that it would boost development.
“Delta State is a university hub; we all know that and it didn’t start today. When I was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, we passed the bill for the three universities created as at that time because we knew the importance of education.
“This is because if you acquire everything on Earth today without education, you are a no body. So, when I received the message of the kingdom donating land to the school and they requested for a waiver on the cost of the C of O, we did not hesitate to do that.
“We approved a waiver to the tune of N111.5 million and a ground rent of N18.4 million to enable you have the C of O, free of charge.
“We know that FUPRE is a specialised university and we also need it. Ethiope East is an oil-producing Local Government and it will also help to open up the area. The research centre will bring more development to the place, he said.” He added: “On your request for internal roads and some buildings, we will assist at the appropriate time; your request has been noted. The request FUPRE made a few months back, very soon, contract for that road will be awarded because they have done the scooping”.
Earlier, the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, HRM, Michael Omeru, CON, OgurimerimeUkori I, who lauded the governor for his massive achievements in the implementation of his MORE Agenda and for his unflinching interest in the Research Centre of FUPRE approved for Isiokolo, told him that they were in Government House, Asaba, to acquaint him with the progress made by the kingdom towards effective take- off of the Research Centre of the university.
The Agbon monarch disclosed that his kingdom had, so far, donated a large expanse of land measuring 123.2 hectares to the university for which, he said, they had applied for the grant of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in favour of the university.
According to him, the existence of the university’s Research Centre at Isiokolo would add impetus to the governor’s vision and mission for the accelerated growth and development of the state.
He, therefore, appealed to the state government for possible assistance with the provision of basic infrastructure such as construction of internal roads within the land donated by the community for the Research Centre, two blocks of 12 classrooms each, an administrative building and a 100- room hostel block.
“It is our belief that the effective take- off of FUPRE Research Centre at Isiokolo will enhance the educational and economic fortunes of our people and will, also, lead to the development of Isiokolo as a local government headquarters in particular and the state in general as most of our teeming youths will be gainfully employed, while ancillary businesses will strive in the area,” the monarch added.
The Agbon monarch was accompanied on the visit by the Chairman, Governing Council of the FUPRE, Engr. Bello Isah, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government, Hon. Augustine Ogedegbe, Chief Brodericks Arigbodi and other traditional chiefs of Agbon Kingdom and the management team of the university.
Hands Over Land To FG For Medical, Health Sciences Varsity
In a related development, the State Government, yesterday, handed over 215 hectares of land to the federal government for the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale.
Speaking during the handing over of the land documents to the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, at Asaba, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said that the state government was eager to see the commencement of academic activities in the university.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said that while 200 hectares of land was for the permanent site of the university, 15 hectares was for the temporal site.
While handling over the Certificate of Occupancy (CoF) for the land to the Minister, who was represented by the Director of Education, Mrs Rakiya Ilyasu Gambo, Governor Oborevwori also handed over the General Hospital, Kwale as Teaching Hospital for the university.
“We thank the federal government, especially, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman for finding us fit to be host to a Federal University. “The establishment of a Federal University has been the dream of our people for many years and we are seeing it come to fruition.
“The sites given to you, the temporary site, which is 15 hectares, and the permanent site that is 200 hectares of land and of course, we have also approved the use of the General Hospital, Kwale, as a take-offsite for the teaching hospital. “The state government is very willing and eager to partner with the university to ensure a smooth take-off of academic activities and I want to assure you that the state government will work with you 100 percent for you to succeed.
“What I will beg the Federal Ministry of Education to do is to keep the university on its toes, to push the university so that together we can move faster.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Delta State, we hand over the documents showing and approving that Delta State and the good people of Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government willingly and freely, without encumbrance have given this parcel of land for the temporary and permanent sites for the use of Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale to you.
“This Certificate of Occupancy for the temporary site is 15 hectares of land and the Certificate of Occupancy for the permanent site is 200 hectares,” Oborevwori said.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, said that she and members of her team had to paid inspection visit to the sites. She said the team visited the temporary and the permanent sites, as well as the General Hospital and was satisfied with what they saw.
She commended the Delta State government for the huge support and for presenting the Certificate of Occupancy for the temporary and permanent sites.
The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, that of Urban Renewal, Engr. Mike Anoka, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Nyerovwo Tonukari and his Primary Education counterpart, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu were present at the ceremony.
