By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Amidst strident opposition from locals against the resumption of oil exploration activities in Ogoni, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday February 27, 2025, approved the donation of the Kira, Tai Local Government Campus of the Rivers State University for the take-off of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni
President Bola Tinubu had recently approved the sighting of the University in Ogoniland as an appeasement measure to the aggrieved locals over past years of environmental degradation and general neglect by both the Federal Government and oil exploration companies.
But the gesture appears not to be resonating with the people as opposition continues to mount against Federal Government’s planned resumption of oil exploration activities in the area .
The Federal Government had, about two months ago, signaled its intentions to resume oil extraction in Ogoni to shore up the Country’s daily output.
But the people insist on the resolution of some past issues before they would allow the come-back bid .
Only on Wednesday February, 26, a coalition of Ogoni Women warned against any attempt by the oil companies to resume operations in Ogoniland without the resolution of the issue of how to clean up past oil spills .
The women, in a statement, vowed to hit the streets of Rivers towns and cities, naked, should their demands be ignored.
On an inspection tour of the Kira Campus of the State University, Governor Fubara, expressed satisfaction that existing infrastructural facilities and the available land will be adequate for the commencement of the Federal University.
Governor Fubara, according to a statement issued by Nelson Chukwudi, his media aide, informed that the decision to give out the Campus for the Federal Institution was sequel to a request in that regard by the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu .
“This is one of the campuses of the Rivers State University, and we received a request from the National Security Adviser NSA, appealing to the State Government to release this facility for the take-off of the newly approved Federal University of Environment and Technology”, the Governor stated .
Before the tour ,Governor Fubara noted that the State Government had, officially, written to the State University management requesting to know the conditions of existing structures on the Campus.
The Governor emphasized that the facility being the property of the State Government, will be released to the Federal Government through the Rivers State University.
“We want to assure all stakeholders, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who approved this University, and the National Security Adviser, who facilitated the process, that we have released it .
After this visit, we will officially transmit a letter of release for the take off of the University”, the Governor assured .
While appreciating all those who, in one way or the other, facilitated the project, Governor Fubara also expressed the optimism that the presence of the Federal Institution will spur and fast-track development in the host communities and Rivers state in general.
Particularly, he is of the strong view that the University will play a pivotal role in addressing issues relating to environmental degradation and other related problems.
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