..Maritime university commends Buhari administration for development efforts
Mkpoikana Udoma
31 January 2019, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — The Vice Chancellor of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, Prof. Maureen Etebu, has commended the Federal Government for what she described as continued development of the university and making it a success story.
Recall that the university was granted approval by the National Universities Commission, NUC, to commence undergraduate degree programmes effective from the 2017/2018 academic session.
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The university, which has 13 departments in three faculties, namely Transport, Engineering and Environmental Management, commenced full academic activities in April 2018 with over 300 students.
The vice chancellor stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s efforts towards the development of the university also showed its commitment to improving the maritime sector, which is fundamental to the growth and development of the nation’s economy
Speaking while showcasing the institution’s facilities and infrastructure at its campus to the Niger Delta New Vision team from the Office of the Vice President, Etebu said the university has helped in sustaining peace in the Niger Delta region, adding that it has become a beacon of hope to Niger Delta youths.
According to her, “We are grateful to the Federal Government for its support, without which, the maritime University would not have taken off. They have been magnanimous to us.
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“Indeed, we have been able to start only because the Federal Government energized the process and released funds to the Maritime University. You can see the progress here already. And since the university started, it has contributed to the peace in the Niger Delta region”.
The VC also lauded the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, for its financial contributions towards the university’s development, a pointer to the synergy that underpins good relations among ministries, departments and agencies under the Buhari administration.
She stated that all lecturers in the university went through strict recruitment process before they were employed, adding that the university has great potential to positively impact development in the region and in the country at large.
“The maritime industry is global, and there are so many resources that have not been tapped until now. You have heard our university anthem, ‘sailing through the marine ways of the world’ so it’s limitless. Being a premier Maritime University, we want to keep the flag flying, and I know we would be number one for a long time.
“One of the many advantages of this institution is that we do not go on strike, being a paramilitary institution. A four-year course will always remain a four-year course.
“Maritime University is a unique institution that would cater for the needs of Nigeria’s maritime industry for years to come. We thank the Vice President and the President for this project because Nigeria needs it,” she added.
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Also, the Special Assistant to the Vice President on Communication Projects/Niger Delta, Mr. Arukaino Umukoro, expressed delight at the institution’s facilities, which he attributed to the Buhari administration’s commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region and the nation’s maritime sector.
Umukoro recalled that in November 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the University from the N2billion earlier announced to N5 billion.
