Students of Gbaramatu kingdom, which hosts the Nigeria Maritime University, under the aegis of the National Association of Gbaramaru Students (NAGS) has flayed the office of the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami for its interference in the location of the institution.
In a statement it issued on Friday, which was signed by its President, Comr. Freeborn Ebimaye Abraye, titled;” Proposed change of name of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko”, the student body asked the Minister to withdraw forthwith, a memo which allegedly emanated from his office to the National Assembly, advising it to change the name of the host community.
The statement reads;”Our attention has been drawn to a publication made on page 12 of the vanguard newspaper on Friday , January 5, 2017. The publication is about a memo submitted to the National Assembly from the office of the Attorney-General of the federation , AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN) signed by H.A. Tahir , on behalf of the AGF, dated October 17, 2017, to the clerk of the National Assembly,wrongly advising the National Assembly to change the name of the location of the maritime from it’s original name Okerenkoko to a fallacious name Okerenghigho.
”The Maritime university is located at Gbaramatu kingdom, in Warri South West Local government, Delta state. There is no place named Okerenghigho in Gbaramatu kingdom.
”The memo submitted by one Lawrence E. Erewele & Co, to the AGF is an indication of a planned disruption of peace in the Warri South-West Local Government area of Delta state.
“As the apex academic body in Gbaramatu Kingdom, we are calling on the AGF to as a matter of urgency, withdraw the fallacious and misleading memo sent from his office to the National Assembly.
”Nigerian youths are eager to create a better future for themselves and make Nigeria a better place, the establishment of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko will help them achieve their dreams.
”The Nigerian child in Gbaramatu kingdom has been deprived of quality education long enough, teachers allocated to teach in the region do not go to class room to teach the Nigerian children in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Corpers are not posted to the region because of mischievous directives like the memo submitted to the National Assembly from your good office that caused great hostility in the region.
”Please for the sake of the Nigerian child in Gbaramatu Kingdom, we call on the AGF who is a good father that will not deprive his child of quality education, to withdraw the memo submitted to the National Assembly from his office that is capable of raising the war drums in the peaceful area.
”The region is of great economic significance to the Federation, our economy is still fragile, the Naira, is still trying to catch up with the Dollar, inflation is on the rise and there is high scarcity of petroleum products.‘
‘If memos like this is not withdrawn immediately , things might get worse in the area and it won’t be of any benefit to Nigerians.
”We also want to use this medium to thank President Muhamadu Buhari for his relentless efforts towards ensuring the kick-off of the University.‘
‘May Almighty Allah continue to strengthen you”. the statement said.
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.